Pistons hold off Rockets for seventh straight win

NEW YORK (Reuters) – Chauncey Billups and Richard Hamilton
each scored 24 points to give the Detroit Pistons a 99-97 win
over the Houston Rockets on Sunday in Auburn Hills.

Not even a season high 43-point effort from Tracy McGrady
was enough to lift the stuttering Rockets, who lost for the
eighth time in nine games.

Ben Wallace had 13 points and 15 rebounds while Rasheed
Wallace and Maurice Evans each contributed 11 points to the
Detroit total as the Pistons registered their seventh straight
win, improving their record to an NBA best 33-5.

But the Rockets made the league leaders work for the win.

Trailing 98-94, Luther Head hit a three-pointer to get the
Rockets within one with 10 seconds remaining.

The Pistons then had a chance to wrap the game up when
Hamilton went to the free throw line, but left the door open
for the Rockets by sinking only one attempt.

Double teamed and unable to get a clean shot, McGrady
dished off to Head, who watched his potential game winning
three-pointer clang off the rim to give the Pistons the win.

DUNCAN TAMED

In San Antonio, Carmelo Anthony bagged 20 points and Earl
Boykins 19 as the Denver Nuggets tamed the Spurs 89-85,
extending their win streak to five games.

Andre Miller chipped in with 15 points and 10 assists but a
big defensive effort also contributed to the win, the Nuggets
forcing 17 turnovers and 13 steals.

Tim Duncan was also effectively neutralized, the Nuggets
holding the twice-league MVP to 14 points, including just two
in the second half, as the Spurs lost at home for just the
third time this season.

Nazr Mohammed paced the Spurs with a season high 17 points
and 12 rebounds.

In Miami, Shaquille O’Neal scored 27 points and pulled down
six rebounds, and Dwyane Wade added 22 points and six boards,
sparking the Miami Heat to a 119-99 win over Sacramento.

Peja Stojakovic had 19 points and Mike Bibby added 17 as
the Kings dropped their second straight game.

Holding a 95-89 lead with just under 10 minutes to play,
the Heat put the game away with a 13-4 run, out-scoring the
Kings 30-15 in the final quarter.

(Writing by Steve Keating in Toronto)