Pistons hand Celtics yet another loss

Chauncey Billups scored 24 points and Antonio McDyess added 18 in just 20 minutes to help the Detroit Pistons hand the Boston Celtics their 15th straight loss, 109-102 on Tuesday.

The Celtics, who extended the worst losing streak in franchise history, haven't won since a 128-119 victory in Memphis on Jan. 5. They have allowed at least 100 points in five straight games.

Boston also had to send forward Paul Pierce home with an infected left elbow. Pierce, who has missed Boston's last 23 games with a foot injury, is expected to be hospitalized for at least two days, which will push his possible return back past the All-Star break.

Knicks 102, Clippers 90

At New York, Stephon Marbury scored 12 of his 15 points in an early second-half run that overwhelmed the Los Angeles Clippers and turned the game around for New York.

Jamal Crawford and Eddy Curry each scored 23 points to lead New York, which shot poorly and defended worse in the first two quarters before controlling the second half of its second consecutive victory.

New York never led in the first half and trailed by as much as 12. But the Knicks stormed out of halftime with a 24-4 spurt, turning a 10-point deficit into a 10-point lead in a span of 9 1/2 minutes and handing the Clippers their second straight loss.

Rockets 98, Grizzlies 90

At Memphis, Tennessee, Tracy McGrady scored 33 points and had eight assists to lead Houston over Memphis.

Houston won for the sixth time in the last seven games while Memphis, which has the worst record in the NBA, has lost three straight.

Pau Gasol led Memphis with 30 points and 13 rebounds. Mike Miller added 12 points, but was only 5-for-17 from the field. Lawrence Roberts finished with 10 points.

Bucks 116, Magic 111

At Milwaukee, Ruben Patterson scored 14 of his 27 points in the fourth quarter and struggling Milwaukee beat Orlando to snap a four-game losing streak.

The Bucks won their seventh straight at home against the Magic but have still lost 15 of their last 18 games overall, in part because Michael Redd remains sidelined with a sprained left knee.

Milwaukee hopes to hit its stride when Redd returns as early as this week from an absence of at least 16 games. Regardless, the Bucks finally found the much-needed offense they've been missing since his departure.

Earl Boykins had 24 points, Charlie Villaneuva 22 and Charlie Bell 20 for the Bucks.

Suns 109, Trail Blazers 102, OT

At Portland, Oregon, Amare Stoudemire scored 36 points and Leandro Barbosa added 25 to help Phoenix past Portland.

Phoenix was missing two-time MVP Steve Nash, who sat out with a shoulder injury that kept him out of the second half in Monday's 113-108 win over Denver.

Stoudemire scored the first five points of the extra period and Barbosa knocked in back-to-back 3-pointers as the Suns held off the Blazers.