Pistons Stretch Lead

UNDATED (AP) -- The Detroit Pistons have taken a huge step toward clinching home court advantage throughout the NBA's Eastern Conference playoffs.<br/><br/>Richard Hamilton scored 21 points and the

Sunday, April 8th 2007, 2:49 pm

By: News On 6

UNDATED (AP) -- The Detroit Pistons have taken a huge step toward clinching home court advantage throughout the NBA's Eastern Conference playoffs.

Richard Hamilton scored 21 points and the Pistons made it four wins in their last five games by downing the Cleveland Cavaliers 87-82. Antonio McDyess added 18 points and 13 rebounds as the East-leading Pistons moved four games ahead of the Cavaliers and Chicago Bulls.

The Bulls were outscored by 18 points in the 2nd half of a 103-89 loss at Toronto. Anthony Parker scored 27 points and Chris Bosh added 22 in the Raptors' third straight win.

Ben Gordon had 27 points for the Bulls, who had won three in a row.

Phoenix Suns beat the Los Angeles Lakers 115-107, preventing the Dallas Mavericks from clinching home court advantage throughout the playoffs. Steve Nash finished with 25 points and 11 assists for his career-high 50th double-double of the season.

The loss drops the Lakers a half-game behind Denver for 7th place in the West as the two teams try to avoid the Suns in the conference quarterfinals.

And Dwyane Wade is playing for the Miami Heat against the Charlotte Bobcats. Wade was activated just before Sunday's game, six and a-half weeks after dislocating his left shoulder in a loss at Houston.