Billups lifts Pistons over Nets

Vince Carter had an open look, albeit fading away and to his right on the 18- foot attempt from the right wing, to give the Nets a one-point edge with under two seconds left.

However, the ball bounced off the back rim, sending the Pistons to their fifth consecutive victory and the Nets to their third straight loss.

Richard Hamilton and Rasheed Wallace tallied 21 points apiece for Detroit, which improved to 5-0 against the Atlantic Division this season.

Carter led all scorers with 28 points while Richard Jefferson donated 18 points and Jason Collins contributed 14 points. New Jersey fell to 1-13 when it fails to reach 100 points.

The Nets took a 75-71 lead with 9:28 left in the game on Carter’s pull-up jumper then a Collins slam two minutes later pushed the edge to 80-73.

Detroit battled back to square the contest, 81-81, on Hamilton’s three with 5:17 on the clock.

The clubs went back and forth with Jefferson converting on a layup for an 89-88 lead with 1:53 remaining, but after Collins made 1-of-2 from the line, Tayshaun Prince calmly sank a pair of free throws to square the contest.

Prince had 17 points on 4-of-12 shooting.

The Pistons dominated the first period behind suffocating defense. Hamilton’s three-point play with four ticks on the clock gave Detroit a 30-18 edge.

The Nets bounced back, trailing 47-39 at the half, but seizing a 68-67 lead after three stanzas. New Jersey seized the advantage on a Carter three-pointer with 4:57 left in the period.

Game Notes

The game featured eight ties and four lead changes...Jason Kidd had 13 points, nine boards and seven assists in the loss...Nazr Mohammed totaled 15 points and seven rebounds in the victory...Detroit drained 25-of-28 from the charity stripe.