The war of words might have been most detrimental to the Lakers, however, as Odom seemed to buckle under Payton's verbal attack. After the game, Odom called Payton's mouth "atrocious," adding, "He's disrespectful, he'd better watch himself."
the glove came off
In 13 seasons with the Seattle SuperSonics, Payton became known as the Glove, a moniker that didn't seem to fit over his last two seasons in Los Angeles and then Boston.
But Payton has found his stride with Riley, especially now that Riley has taken over for Stan Van Gundy, who resigned as coach eight games ago. Payton now has more freedom on offense to play his game.
Riley even implored that of him in the fourth quarter, when Wade was sitting on the bench. The teams entered the final period tied at 70-70, when Payton and the 35-year-old Alonzo Mourning ignited their team with a block and a layup on an early 8-2 run. Riley wanted more.
"You know, we need a little bit of your offense, too," Riley said he told Payton. "It was back-to-the-future stuff for Gary."
Riley, too, was caught in flashback of his earlier coaching days, actually stomping onto the court, flailing his arms and pointing his fingers, his 1987 championship Lakers ring flashing in the arena lights.
He called the last couple of weeks dealing with his return to the bench "zany," whereas they might have been zen for Jackson's team, which had won nine of its previous 11 games. But the Lakers proved they did not have the players to support Bryant when he grew tired or missed 18 shots.
The Heat, which won for the second time on Christmas Day over the Lakers, found support from a former All-Star just when it needed it.
"He's been wanting to get me since 1996," Payton said about Riley. "It was the right opportunity, the right situation -- this team was primed for me."
And he was prime time for them.
Pistons 85, Spurs 70
At Auburn Hills, Chauncey Billups scored 20 points and the Pistons held the Spurs to their lowest-scoring first quarter before winning their seventh straight victory. The Spurs missed 13 of their last 14 shots in the opening period.
Detroit has won 13 of 14 games and improved to an NBA-best 22-3. The Spurs have lost three of five, but their 21-7 record is the league's second best.
It was the first meeting of the teams since they battled in the NBA finals last season.
Ben Wallace had 10 points and a season-high 21 rebounds and reserve Antonio McDyess added 10 points and a season-high 13 rebounds for the Pistons.
Rasheed Wallace scored 14 points and Richard Hamilton had 11.
San Antonio's Tony Parker scored 19 points and Tim Duncan had 18 points and 11 points.
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