Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community - Rasheed's Contract Issues

http://cbs.sportsline.com/nba/gamece...040220_MIN@DET

Quote:

Wallace forced to leave game in first half
Feb. 20, 2004
SportsLine.com wire reports
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. -- Rasheed Wallace was barely allowed to break a sweat in his debut with the Detroit Pistons.

After Wallace played 12 minutes in the first half, the NBA ruled he could not play because of a paperwork issue. Minus their newly acquired big man, the Pistons lost to Minnesota 88-87 Friday night.

Kevin Garnett had 25 points and 13 rebounds to lead the Timberwolves to their fifth straight victory. Detroit has lost seven of eight.

Wallace was dealt just before the trading deadline Thursday after playing only one game for Atlanta, which acquired the temperamental player from Portland last week. He scored four points on 2-of-6 shooting and had two rebounds.

The Pistons apparently found out at halftime that Wallace and Mike James, acquired in the three-team trade that also involved Boston, were not eligible to play.

Wallace sat on the bench in his warmups in the second half, and encouraged his new teammates during timeouts. James had one foul in five minutes.

"All the necessary paperwork was not received by the league," Pistons spokesman Matt Dobek said. "It will probably be cleared up (Saturday)."

Fans started chanting for Wallace in the second half and Pistons coach Larry Brown answered some of his new fans behind press row.

"They're not allowed to play," Brown said.

The Timberwolves were in control for much of the game, but they didn't win easily.

Sam Cassell kept the Pistons' hopes alive by missing two free throws with 31.6 seconds left.

After Richard Hamilton's layup made it 85-83, Latrell Sprewell missed a free throw with 19 seconds left.

Hamilton made another layup to pull Detroit within one with 14.4 seconds left, then Cassell made two free throws.

Sprewell missed two at the line, the second intentionally, with 1.3 seconds left, but the Pistons could not get a shot off.

Cassell scored 16 and Sprewell had 12 for the Midwest Division-leading Timberwolves, who have won nine of 11.

Detroit's Chauncey Billups fouled out after reaching his second career triple-double with 20 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds. Hamilton scored 24 points, Ben Wallace had 17 points and 12 rebounds and reserve Corliss Williamson added 12.

The Pistons' slump has come after they won 17 of 20.

When Rasheed Wallace stepped on the court with 4:31 left in the first quarter, he was welcomed with a rousing, standing ovation. After missing his first shot, he made two straight baskets, the second a long jumper over Garnett.

But Wallace didn't exactly provide an instant impact.

The Pistons were ahead 14-12 when he entered the game, and they trailed by nine when he went to the bench early in the second quarter. When Wallace came back into the game with 4:22 left in the half, the Timberwolves led by six and they were ahead 47-41 at halftime.

Notes: Minnesota activated center Michael Olowokandi from the injured list Friday. He missed 35 games after having surgery on his right knee injury. Darrick Martin was released to make room for Olowokandi. ... Detroit activated Tremaine Fowlkes on Friday after he missed 26 games with a back injury.

AP NEWS
The Associated Press News Service

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