Sports

NBA

Pistons take down Heat, win division

Associated Press
Published March 23, 2006

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AUBURN HILLS, Mich. - Chauncey Billups had 24 points and 10 assists, and the Pistons rallied past the Heat 82-73 Wednesday night in a matchup of the top teams in the Eastern Conference.

Shaquille O'Neal (thumb) returned for Miami after missing one game, but the Heat lost his backup, Alonzo Mourning, to a calf strain in the second quarter. As a result, O'Neal played a season-high 43 minutes, scoring 27. He didn't get much help from guard Dwyane Wade, who was held to a season-low 13 points on 3-for-15 shooting.

"It was tough, but when we play them again in April, we'll have some counters for what they were doing," Wade said.

Detroit clinched the Central Division and reduced its magic number for the East title to six. It has won 16 straight at home.

Magic topples Knicks, Francis

ORLANDO - Dwight Howard had 23 points and seven rebounds, and the Magic rolled over New York 111-87 in Steve Francis' return to Central Florida.

Howard missed the first start of his career for Orlando after showing up late for shoot-around, but he scored 10 in a four-minute span of the first half.

In his first game at Orlando since being traded last month, Francis had two points in 11 minutes. The Knicks were without rookie standout Channing Frye, out the rest of the season after spraining a left knee ligament. David Lee, a rookie from Florida, started for Frye and scored 10.

Before the game, the Magic re-signed forward/center Tony Battie.

CAVS 120, BOBCATS 118 (OT): LeBron James hit the first winning shot of his career with 0.9 seconds left in overtime, finishing with 37 points and his ninth career triple double for host Cleveland. He had 12 assists and 11 rebounds as the Cavs moved closer to securing their first playoff berth since 1998.

PACERS 95, BULLS 85: Jermaine O'Neal scored 16 in his first game in two months, and Stephen Jackson scored 12 of his 24 in the fourth quarter for host Indiana. O'Neal missed 24 games with a torn left groin.

76ERS 115, HAWKS 106: Allen Iverson, who missed four games with a bruised and sprained foot, scored 29 in his return and host Philadelphia ended a four-game losing skid.

CELTICS 110, RAPTORS 96: Paul Pierce scored 32 as Boston beat Toronto for the eighth straight time at home.

BUCKS: Guard Mo Williams left the team and went to Indianapolis for further examination of his sprained left ankle.

HAWKS: Rookie guard Salim Stoudamire could miss the rest of the season after injuring his elbow against Orlando last weekend.

SONICS: Guard Earl Watson returned after missing Tuesday's game with a throat injury.

SUNS: After a pain-free practice, forward Amare Stoudemire said there's an 80 percent chance he'll return tonight against the Trail Blazers. Stoudemire had microfracture knee surgery Oct. 11. If he returns tonight, he will have 16 games to get ready for the playoffs.

[Last modified March 23, 2006, 02:30:12]