Pistons try to remain perfect in Houston

On Tuesday, Richard Hamilton and Chauncey Billups each scored 25 points as the Pistons remained the lone unbeaten team in the NBA by rallying for a 115-100 victory over the Boston Celtics at The Palace of Auburn Hills. At 7-0, the Pistons have recorded their third-best start in franchise history and their best since 1988-89 when they started the season 8-0 en route to their first of three NBA Championships. Detroit’s 9-0 start in 1970-71 is the best in franchise history.

Billups, who had 17 points in the third quarter in Tuesday’s win, dished out 10 assists. Billups and Hamilton each made 50 percent of their shots from the field. Rasheed Wallace finished with 20 points and 14 rebounds for the Pistons, who trailed by 13 at one point in the third quarter.

Tayshaun Prince added 15 points and Ben Wallace scored 10 to go along with nine boards for Detroit, which won despite allowing the Celtics to shoot 53.1 percent from the field.

The Pistons will visit the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday. They are 4-0 on the road this season.

Houston returns home after going 2-3 on a five-game road trip. On Thursday, Tim Duncan poured in 19 points and grabbed nine rebounds to lead the world champion San Antonio Spurs past the Rockets 86-80, at the SBC Center.

Tracy McGrady finished with a game-high 27 points and grabbed 12 rebounds in the loss to San Antonio for the Rockets, who have dropped two of their last three contests. Center Yao Ming finished with 19 points in the losing effort.

The Rockets will embark on a brief two-game road trip after tonight’s contest. They will visit the Indiana Pacers on Sunday and the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday. Houston is 1-2 as the host this season.

Detroit will host the Rockets on January 22, 2006 in the final meeting of the season between the clubs.