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Billups inspires Pistons to victory over Magic

Posted on: Wednesday, 4 January 2006, 00:37 CST

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Chauncey Billups scored a regular season career-high 37 points as the Detroit Pistons won their 25th game of the season, downing the Orlando Magic 108-99 in Auburn Hills on Tuesday.

Billups was 9-for-15 from the floor and had four three-pointers as the Pistons improved their NBA-best record to 25-4.

He also added nine assists as the 2004 NBA Finals Most Valuable Player increased his chances at an All-Star selection and possible regular season MVP consideration later this year.

Detroit saw its nine-game winning streak snapped with a loss at Cleveland on Saturday, but the Pistons rebounded smartly to become the first team to win 25 games this season.

"We had a letdown against Cleveland, and we needed to turn that around," Billups said.

"We couldn't let it continue."

Detroit coach Flip Saunders felt it was going to be a good night for Billups, who once scored 40 points in a playoff game.

"He felt good tonight and when he feels that good, we're just going to let him go."

Richard Hamilton added 25 points for the Pistons, while Tayshaun Prince chipped in with 12 and Ben Wallace added 11 points and nine rebounds.

Dwight Howard had 22 points and 14 rebounds for the Magic, who trailed by just two points and the half and by the same margin after three quarters.

Jameer Nelson added 18 points for Orlando (12-16), as the Magic saw its three-game winning streak snapped.

In Washington, Tracy McGrady scored 38 points as the Houston Rockets beat the Wizards 123-111.

Juwan Howard added 24 points and Rafer Alston scored 17 points and had 10 assists for the Rockets.

Gilbert Arenas scored 44 points in a losing cause and Caron Butler added 20 points for the Wizards.

In Atlanta, Chris Bosh scored 27 points and had 12 rebounds as the Toronto Raptors beat the Hawks 108-97.

Mike James added 28 points for the Raptors.

Al Harrington, Joe Johnson and Zaza Pachulia both scored 18 points for the Hawks.

In Memphis, Eddie Jones scored 23 points as the Grizzlies beat the Golden State Warriors 104-94.

Pau Gasol added 21 points for the Grizzlies.

Jason Richardson scored 20 points and Derek Fisher added 18 points for the Warriors.

In Dallas, Josh Howard scored 21 points and had 10 rebounds as the Mavericks beat the Portland Trail Blazers 95-81.

Dirk Howitzki and Jason Terry both scored 22 points for the Mavericks.

Zach Randolph scored 19 points and had 11 rebounds and Ruben Patterson added 19 points for the Trail Blazers.

In Salt Lake City, Mehmet Okur scored 20 points and had 10 rebounds as the Utah Jazz beat the Los Angeles Lakers 90-80.

Deron Williams added 19 points for the Jazz.

Lamar Odom scored 25 points for the Lakers.

In Sacramento, Andre Iguodala had 22 points and 10 rebounds as the Philadelphia 76ers had four players with double-doubles in a 111-98 win over the Kings.

Chris Webber had 20 points and 16 rebounds, Samuel Dalembert added 20 points and 14 rebounds and Allen Iverson chipped in with 19 points and 12 assists for the Sixers.

Brad Miller led Sacramento with 36 points and 11 rebounds.

Source: REUTERS

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