(Basketball News) - Chauncey Billups and Mehmet Okur each scored 21 points to lead Detroit to a 106-103 win over Boston at the FleetCenter.
Richard Hamilton added 17 points for the Pistons, who made 15-of-16 free throws in the fourth quarter to snap a three-game losing streak. Ben Wallace added 14 points and 15 rebounds for Detroit, which scored seven straight points late in fourth quarter to overturn a three-point deficit.
A three-pointer from the left wing by Billups with 2:04 to go put the Pistons ahead 95-93. Wallace then added two free throws 30 seconds later put the team ahead 97-93.
Two free throws by Paul Pierce with 1:26 to play brought the Celtics within 97-95. But they never took a shot to force a tie or go ahead after a turnover by Welsch on their ensuing possession.
Tayshaun Prince then hit a jumper to put the Pistons ahead 99-95 with 42.7 seconds remaining.
A three-pointer by Mike James brought Boston within 100-98 with 17.2 seconds to go, but two free throws by Hamilton made it a two-possession game.
The Celtics pulled within 104-103 on a three-pointer by James with 8.4 seconds to play. But Billups hit two free throws for Detroit for the final margin.
James took the final shot, a three-pointer from the right wing, but it bounced off the rim as time expired.
On the injury front center Zeljko Rebraca missed the game with the flu and the team does not know when he will re-join them.
The Pistons return to action on Friday against the Toronto Raptors.
