Chauncey Billups hit two free throws with a tenth of a second left to lead the Detroit Pistons to a 87-85 win over the Boston Celtics on Wednesday.
The loss was Boston's first at home this season, having won their first 12 home games.
The Pistons held off a late Boston rally and won the game when Billups converted his free throws after being fouled by Tony Allen.
PHOTO: AP
"It was playoff-intense, pretty aggressive out there," Detroit coach Flip Saunders told reporters. "I would say, by far, it was the most aggressive game this season, with all five guys going against each other. It got a little bit chippy, so it was a little bit of a playoff-like atmosphere."
Detroit led 85-79 with 3:34 to play, but Eddie House and Ray Allen hit three-pointers to tie the game. The score was level until the final seconds, when Paul Pierce missed a fadeaway that would have given the Celtics the lead.
Rasheed Wallace grabbed the rebound and called a timeout with 1.7 seconds left. On the inbound, Allen fouled Billups, leading to the winning free throws.
Billups had a game-high 28 points, including 12 in the fourth quarter, and added eight assists. Richard Hamilton added 21 points and Wallace nine points and 13 rebounds for the Pistons.
Kevin Garnett led Boston with 26 points and 12 rebounds and Ray Allen added 24 points. Despite being the losing team, Boston had 49 percent possession to Detroit's 40 percent.
"It's a good lesson for our guys," Boston coach Doc Rivers said.
Detroit (18-7), the Central Division leaders, won their third successive game.
Mavericks 108, Suns 105
In Dallas, Dirk Nowitzki scored 31 points, including the Mavericks' final eight, giving Dallas just enough to hold off Phoenix in another intense game between the Western Conference rivals.
Dallas led by 17 at the end of the first quarter and Phoenix never recovered, but the Suns came close. Even after trailing by 14 with 7:10 left, they had a chance to tie it in the closing seconds but Steve Nash shot an airball on a 3-point attempt.
The Mavs have won four straight, enough to tighten up the top of the Western Conference standings. Dallas is 18-9, narrowly behind Phoenix (18-8) and San Antonio (18-7).
Hawks 117, Heat 111, OT
In Atlanta, Joe Johnson scored 25 points and gave Atlanta the lead for good with a three-point play as the Hawks outlasted Miami in overtime.
The Heat have lost 8 of 11, and coach Pat Riley has a new injury concern. Miami lost backup center Alonzo Mourning to a torn patella tendon in his right knee in the first quarter, leaving his status for the rest of the season in doubt.
Magic 97, Rockets 92
In Houston, Dwight Howard had 21 points, 11 rebounds and three blocks and Orlando took advantage of Tracy McGrady's absence in the second half to beat Houston.
Houston cut Orlando's lead to one with a late rally before losing for the sixth time in nine games.
McGrady left with a sore left knee at halftime after going 1-for-10 from the field in the first half. He bruised the knee in Saturday's loss to Dallas.
Knicks 108, Cavaliers 90
In New York, David Lee scored 17 of his 22 points in the first half and New York beat Cleveland for its most lopsided victory of the season.
Two nights after coach Isiah Thomas questioned their heart and toughness, the Knicks shot a season-best 56.2 percent from the field and led by as many as 24 points in their most complete effort during a disappointing season.
Grizzlies 88, Spurs 85
In Memphis, Tennessee, Rudy Gay hit a 3-pointer over Tim Duncan as time expired to give Memphis victory over San Antonio.
Manu Ginobili's dunk with 2.4 seconds left tied the score at 85. Juan Carlos Navarro threw an inbounds pass to Gay, who dribbled toward the top of the key and got off a shot as the horn sounded, sending San Antonio to its third straight road loss.
Warriors 111, Timberwolves 98
In Minneapolis, Al Harrington scored 25 points, including 14 in the decisive third quarter, and Golden State ran past Minnesota during another second-half fade by the Timberwolves.
Golden State has overcome an 0-6 start to jump back in the conference race.
Minnesota is off to the worst start in the franchise's 19 seasons.
Trail Blazers 101, Raptors 96
In Portland, Oregon, Brandon Roy had 25 points, nine assists and eight rebounds and Portland won its ninth straight game by downing Toronto.
The Blazers, 11-3 at home and 14-12 overall, have won nine straight games for the first time since they won 12 in a row during the 2001-02 season.
Bulls 95, Wizards 84
In Washington, Ben Gordon scored 22 points and Chicago used a 12-0 run in the final 4 minutes to beat Washington.
Chicago's run came after Caron Butler's jump shot gave Washington its first lead of the second half, 80-79, with about four minutes to play.
Pacers 102, 76ers 85
In Indianapolis, Marquis Daniels scored a season-high 26 points, and Indiana beat Philadelphia for its third straight win.
Jermaine O'Neal had 19 points, nine rebounds and five blocks, and Mike Dunleavy added 19 points for the Pacers.
Bobcats 98, Jazz 92
In Charlotte, North Carolina, Gerald Wallace scored 26 points to lead Charlotte's fourth-quarter comeback win over Utah.
In their first game since part-owner Michael Jordan took a hands-on approach which included suiting up for practice a day earlier, the Bobcats rallied from a 12-point deficit with under 6 minutes left for only their third win in 13 games.
Kings 102, Bucks 89
In Milwaukee, Ron Artest scored 26 points and had eight assists to help Sacramento beat Milwaukee and finish 3-2 on its five-game road trip.
Hornets 107, SuperSonics 93
In Seattle, Chris Paul had 21 points and 15 assists to help New Orleans beat Seattle.
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