Wallace leads Pistons past Celtics

Richard Hamilton hit 7-of-11 shots and posted 18 points for the Pistons, who have won four straight and 15 of their past 17 contests. Chauncey Billups had 13 points and a game-high 16 assists while Tayshaun Prince also netted 13 points in the win.

Carlos Delfino added 11 points and Ben Wallace contributed nine points and 14 boards for Detroit, which improved its league-best record to 30-5.

The Pistons, who are an impressive 16-2 as the host this season, hit on 50 percent of their shots and made 8-of-19 three-pointers in the game.

Paul Pierce had 21 points and seven rebounds while David West posted 20 points and seven boards for the Celtics, who have dropped five of their past six contests.

Leading by eight points after three quarters, Detroit opened up an 87-74 advantage on Billups’ basket with around three minutes left in the game. Boston, though, hung tough and pulled within 89-81 on Pierce’s foul shot with just under one minute remaining.

The Celtics then got within 91-84 on three free throws with 18 seconds left in the game, but that would be as close as Boston would come. The Pistons scored the final three points of the game, all from the foul line, to seal their 10- point victory.

Trailing 22-15 after one quarter, Detroit fell behind by 14 points early in the second before rallying.

The Pistons then used a 19-4 burst, keyed by eight points from Delfino, to pull ahead by one late in the frame. Maurice Evans’ basket capped the run and made it 36-35 with around three minutes left.

Detroit eventually carried a 41-40 edge into the intermission and held a 73-65 cushion after 36 minutes.

Game Notes

Boston shot 45 percent from the floor, but was a dismal 2-of-13 from three- point range...The Celtics have lost five straight and eight of their last nine in Detroit...Boston is 4-15 on the road and has lost four of its last five as the visitor.