AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Jan. 17 (UPI) -- Clifford Robinson scored 22 points and Richard Hamilton had six of his 16 points in a decisive 16-0 run in the third quarter Friday night as the Detroit Pistons coasted past the New York Knicks, 99-82.
The Pistons (26-12) moved within two games of Central Division-leading Indiana and open a home-and-home series with the Pacers Saturday night. Pistons Coach Rick Carlisle refused to talk about the Pacers to either his team or the media Thursday, instead concentrating on the task at hand.
All Carlisle had to do was remind his team of a Nov. 18 loss to the Knicks in which the Pacers fell behind by 30 points at halftime.
Indiana put the game out of reach with a third-quarter run. New York went scoreless for a span of 5:53.
The Knicks shot just two of 16 in the quarter and scored only 11 points. A pair of free throws by Charlie Ward with five seconds left in the period ended the spurt and cut the deficit to 80-55.
Kurt Thomas and Shandon Anderson each scored 16 points for the Knicks.
The Pistons led by as many as 28 points in the fourth quarter.
