Pistons pound on Phoenix Suns

The Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant walks to the bench after his face was cut during the second half of their NBA game against the Golden State Warriors in Oakland, California, on Monday. PHOTO: AP

Chauncey Billups scored nine of his 32 points in overtime, helping the Detroit Pistons beat the Phoenix Suns 110-105 on Monday.

Phoenix entered with a seven-game winning streak, but lost to the Pistons for the second time in a month. The Pistons were missing All-Star guard Richard Hamilton (hip) and backup Juan Dixon (calf), which meant Lindsey Hunter played for the first time since Jan. 10 and had three points in 10 minutes.

Amare Stoudemire led Phoenix with 33 points.

NETS 106, KNICKS 91, OT

At New York, Vince Carter scored 27 points, Richard Jefferson added 26 and the New Jersey Nets moved within one game of the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

New Jersey beat their cross-Hudson rivals for the first time this season after three losses. Nenad Krstic added 22 points for the Nets, who are a half-game ahead of Indiana (29-41) and one game behind Atlanta (30-39) in the conference standings.

Jamal Crawford led the Knicks with 26 points.

76ERS 95, CELTICS 90

At Boston, Andre Iguodala scored 28 points, including 10 in a row during a 19-0 fourth-quarter run as Philadelphia rallied from an 11-point deficit to beat Boston.

Eddie House's 3-pointer gave Boston an 80-69 lead with 8:20 to play, but the Celtics couldn't score until Paul Pierce hit one of two free throws with 1:38 left. By that time, the Sixers were on their way to their ninth victory in 11 games and their 18th in 23 tries.

HEAT 78, BUCKS 73

At Miami, Chris Quinn, filling in for an injured Jason Williams, scored a career-high 24 points to lead Miami past Milwaukee.

Quinn was a late insertion into the starting lineup for Williams, who'll be sidelined a week with a right thumb injury that required a hard cast.

NUGGETS 120, GRIZZLIES 106

At Memphis, Tennessee, Allen Iverson had 26 points and seven assists, while Carmelo Anthony finished with 23 points as Denver used a big second half to defeat Memphis.

J.R. Smith led the Nuggets, scoring 25 of his 27 points in the fourth quarter, as Denver stretched the lead to as many as 22 in winning their third straight. Smith was 8-of-10 in the period, including seven outside the arc.

ROCKETS 108, KINGS 100

At Houston, Rafer Alston scored 28 points and Tracy McGrady added 17 as Houston beat Sacramento to give coach Rick Adelman his 800th career victory.

Adelman, who won 395 games coaching Sacramento from 1998-2006, became the 13th coach to reach the milestone. He's one of six active coaches with 800 wins, joining Pat Riley, Phil Jackson, Jerry Sloan, Don Nelson and George Karl.

SuperSonics 97, Trail Blazers 84

At Seattle, Kevin Durant scored 23 points and Seattle snapped their 11-game losing streak in what could be the final meeting of the I-5 rivalry.

With Sonics owner Clay Bennett pressing to move his team to Oklahoma City as early as next season, Monday night may have been the final time the longtime rivals faced off just 290km apart. The series started in 1970 and the Sonics hold a 98-94 lead.

LAKERS 123, WARRIORS 119, OT

At Oakland, California, Lamar Odom made the go-ahead layup with 9 seconds left in overtime, and the Los Angeles Lakers shook off Golden State's frantic regulation rally to hang on for a victory.