Pistons' Hamilton returns; Wallace, AI still out

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WASHINGTON -- Detroit Pistons guard Richard Hamilton returned to the lineup Saturday against the Washington Wizards after missing six games with an injured left groin.

Meanwhile, forward Rasheed Wallace missed his 10th straight game with a strained left calf and guard Allen Iverson sat for the 16th in a row with a sore back.

The Pistons had lost five of six without Hamilton, their leading scorer with 18.1 points per game. Coach Michael Curry said Hamilton's minutes would be carefully monitored.

"We'll try not to sit him too long," Curry said. "We'll continue to give him his breaks. He says he's ready to go."

Curry said that both Wallace and Iverson are nearly ready to return. The Pistons host Philadelphia on Sunday and play at Cleveland on Tuesday.

"Hopefully, in the next day or so (Iverson) will be ready to give it a chance. We'll see if he can go tomorrow," Curry said. "Tuesday at the latest for 'Sheed and Allen."

Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press

This story is from ESPN.com's automated news wire. Wire index

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