Pistons grab divisional title

Zeljko Rebraca blocks a shot by Jason Terry (Atlanta)

Auburn Hills, USA, April 9 (agencies) - Rookie Zeljko Rebraca had 18 points, 13 rebounds and seven blocks as Detroit Pistons clinched the Central Division title by beating Atlanta 105-99. The Yugoslavian center replaced injured Ben Wallace (ankle), who leads the league in blocks and rebounds.

The Pistons had not won the division since 1990, when they captured their second of back-to-back NBA championships.

"Tonight was a great opportunity to play good," Rebraca said. "I tried to play my best game, this is my best game this year. I told Ben (Wallace) before the game that I had to do his job, and I did his job. Now we're the Central Division champions. That's great."

Chucky Atkins scored 20 points, Clifford Robinson added 19 and Jerry Stackhouse had 18 and 12 assists for Detroit (47-30), which moved 5 1/2 games in front of second-place Charlotte (41-35) and within two games of New Jersey for home-court advantage throughout the Eastern Conference playoffs.

Jason Terry had 24 points and 12 assists, Shareef Abdur-Rahim scored 23 points and Nazr Mohammed chipped in 17 and 12 rebounds for the Hawks.