Chauncey Bilups (#1)

BY KRISTA LATHAM

FREE PRESS SPORTS WRITER

Last time, it was Richard Hamilton who broke Boston's heart. This time, the dagger belonged to Chauncey Billups.

Less than two weeks ago, it was Hamilton's buzzer-beater that gave Detroit a one-point victory over the Celtics. Tuesday night, it was Billups' continued brilliance -- most of it coming in his 17-point third quarter -- that brought the team back from a double-digit hole and helped secure a 115-100 victory at the Palace.

Billups finished with 25 points and 10 assists, and the Pistons finished off the Celtics in the fourth quarter with big plays from nearly every player and the return of their trademark defense. The win kept Detroit perfect at 7-0.

With his team struggling in the third quarter, Billups decided enough was enough.

"I just figured at some point I'd have to start being aggressive because things weren't going that good," said Billups, who had his third straight double-double. "We were getting good looks, but we just weren't knocking them down. So I thought I'd try my luck, and it started rolling."

Billups scored 15 of the team's final 16 points in the third quarter, cutting Detroit's deficit to one point.

Each shot Billups hit seemed more improbable than the last. He hit a three-pointer. He hit an off-balance jumper. He sank a shot while falling to the ground after taking a hit from Ricky Davis. Three times, he turned a two-point play into a three-point play with a free throw.

"Anytime you give up three three-point plays like that, it takes something away from a team," said Ben Wallace, who had 10 points and nine rebounds. "That got the crowd involved. So all we had to do was relax and play."

In the fourth quarter, the rest of the Pistons took off where Billups left off in the third. Carlos Arroyo came off the bench, sparked a big play with a steal and finished with eight points and five assists in almost 11 minutes. Antonio McDyess came up with a big dunk. Rasheed Wallace, who had 20 points and 14 rebounds, did a little of everything -- grabbed rebounds, forced steals, hit free throws and three-pointers. Hamilton finished with 25 points.

"Everyone at times did things to carry us," coach Flip Saunders said.

The Pistons scored 67 points with only three turnovers in the second half.

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I'M CHAUNCEY BILLUPS, BITCH!!

I will take a healthy Indiana team every day of the week in a 7 game series.

It's a little early to be posting game reports don't you think? They beat the Celtics its not exactly awe inspiring.

How about them Lions!!!

Lets not talk about dem Lions.

Meanwhile, haters.... keep on hatin'! It makes victory that much sweeter!

DexMSR said:

watched the game saturday ... was fun

Mach said:

I am much more a Pistons fan than a Lions fan. Even in the lean years, Id go to the games and sport a jersey. Gotta love them Pistons!

dreamfactory313 said:

i dont like basketball or football

does MI have a pro soccer team ?

where in MI are you ?

Mach said:

Dearborn. I am not aware of a pro soccer team.