Billups helps Pistons beat Heat

Richard Hamilton and Tayshaun Prince each had 17 points for Detroit, which overcame a 12-point second half deficit, a season-low 34.9 percent shooting and a season-worst 35-point first half to clinch the Central Division crown with 15 games remaining. No other player scored in double-figures for the Pistons, who have won three in a row.

Shaquille O’Neal scored 27 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for Miami, which has dropped two straight after winning five in a row. Dwyane Wade was held to just 13 points and had nine assists for the Heat, who began to see things fall apart in the third quarter.

With Miami ahead by 12 points, 49-37, Detroit went on a 20-7 run to go in front 57-56. Hamilton had nine points and Billups seven during the surge.

Wade briefly gave the Heat the lead back with a bucket, but Detroit scored the three of the final four points of the quarter to go into the fourth ahead 60-59.

Miami went back ahead 64-62 with a 5-2 run to begin the final 12 minutes, but the Pistons quickly regained control. Prince and Antonio McDyess each had six points during a 16-4 burst, which was capped by a Rasheed Wallace bucket with just under 1 1/2 minutes to play.

Miami only got within eight points the rest of the way.

McDyess ended with nine points and six boards for Detroit, which improved to 30-2 at the Palace this season.

Antoine Walker had 15 points for the Heat, who lost back-up center Alonzo Mourning to a calf injury in the second quarter.

After Mourning gave the Heat a 21-19 lead with a bucket at the end of the first quarter, Miami began to build a lead in the second. Jason Williams ended a 14-4 run to start the second and gave the Heat a 35-23 lead with a little more than half the stanza to play.

Detroit only got within eight points the rest of the half and went into the break down 43-35.

Miami continued to hold the advantage in the early stages of the third, going ahead by as many as 12 points, 49-37, on an O’Neal basket just over three minutes into the frame.

Game Notes

Miami fell to 19-16 on the road...Detroit has win nine of 11 against the Heat...Miami shot 37.8 percent from the floor...The Heat went only 10-of-14 from the free throw line...Detroit hit 18-of-23 from the charity stripe.