Wallace wins fourth award for defense

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. -- Detroit center Ben Wallace won the NBA's Defensive Player of the Year award for the fourth time in five years, a person within the Pistons organization told The Associated Press on Sunday.

The source said Wallace will be presented with the award Tuesday night before Game 2 of the second-round series against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

"Is that for sure? Don't get me excited over nothing now," Wallace said after Detroit beat the Cavs 113-86 in the series opener. "That means a lot. That's my pride and joy."

Wallace joins Dikembe Mutombo as the only four-time Defensive Player of the Year in league history.

Detroit won an NBA-high and franchise-record 64 games during the regular season

Wallace ranked fourth in the NBA in rebounding (11.3), ninth in blocks (2.2) and 10th in steals (1.78) -- the only player among the top 10 in all three categories .

Wallace scored 7.3 points a game this season, and has not averaged double digits in any of his 10 years in the league.

-- The Associated Press