NBA Notes: Wallace's best offense is defense

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — Ben Wallace doesn't get MVP consideration or hit dramatic shots like his All-Star teammates.

But none of the Detroit Pistons has any doubt about which player is at the heart of their 46-9 start.

Wallace had 11 points and 19 rebounds Sunday as the Pistons beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 90-78.

"They might as well take the Defensive Player of the Year award and send it to Ben," Pistons coach Flip Saunders said. "He's been on a mission in the last three weeks, and when you look at all of the things he's doing — rebounding, blocking shots and making steals — he's been phenomenal."

Saunders has been trying to get Wallace more touches on the offensive end. The results have been mixed — he shot air balls on two mid-range jumpers Sunday — but it has been important to Wallace.

"I at least want to make the other guys guard me," he said. "I know that when I'm getting involved on offense it gives me more confidence and energy."

Wallace's efforts don't go unnoticed by the opposition, either.

"Ben is quick, athletic, strong, tenacious and hungry — the whole nine yards," Cavaliers coach Mike Brown said. "He makes it tough because you are afraid to drive the basketball when you know he's back there."

The loss hurt the Cavaliers a little more than most.

LeBron James got kicked in the shin late in the third quarter, causing a noticeable limp, but he wasn't worried about the injury.

Zydrunas Ilgauskas had 15 points and nine rebounds despite missing most of the first quarter after needing five stitches to close a head wound caused by Rasheed Wallace's elbow. Ilgauskas felt Wallace was getting revenge for an incident moments earlier.

No trash talking here

As part of the NBA's Hardwood Classics events, the league broadcast the Rockets-Magic game in Orlando, Fla., "silently" on NBA TV — with no announcers and enhanced on-court microphones to fill in sound.

Music from the 1970s was played during timeouts, with help from a pep band and an organist. The Magic wore retro jerseys from its inaugural 1989-90 season.

Notes

• Grant Hill scored 22 points in just his second start in more than a month for Orlando.

"I'm hesitant to say this thing's behind me, but I have a better understanding of it," Hill said of the sports hernia that has kept him out most of this season.

• Memphis swingman Eddie Jones sat out against Minnesota with a sore left foot.