The Los Angeles Lakers have been unbeatable at home, and average on the road.

Chauncey Billups had 24 points and eight assists to lead a balanced attack for the Detroit Pistons in a 106-96 win over Los Angeles on Tuesday night.

Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant has his shot blocked by Detroit Pistons' Ben Wallace (3) after being fouled by Chauncey Billups (1) in the second quarter in Auburn Hills, Mich., Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2003. [AP]

The Lakers, who are 5-0 at home, lost their third straight on the road to fall to 3-3.

Despite foul trouble, Shaquille O'Neal scored 20 points in 31 minutes. Karl Malone had 20, and Kobe Bryant added 19.

Midway through the first quarter, O'Neal had three fouls, and he was whistled for a fourth with 4:47 left in the half. He left the game with five fouls with 1:16 to go in the third quarter, and stayed on the bench for nearly six minutes.

The Lakers were ahead 72-70 when O'Neal left the game, but when he came back they were down 85-80. Detroit then went ahead 91-82 and Los Angeles couldn't get closer than five.

Ben Wallace had 12 points and 15 rebounds for the Pistons, and Richard Hamilton scored 14.

Detroit's bench provided a lift with 45 points against the Lakers' lackluster reserves, who combined for just 14. Pistons reserves Corliss Williamson scored 14, Mehmet Okur had 13 and Bob Sura scored a season-high 10 points.

Los Angeles' Gary Payton had 15 points and five assists.

Detroit won a game with 20 lead changes and nine ties because it made 57 percent of its shots, outrebounded the Lakers 47-26 and took advantage of O'Neal being in foul trouble.

The Pistons led 25-23 after the first quarter and stayed ahead for most of the second.

The Lakers trailed by seven early in the third quarter before taking the lead with a 12-4 run. They were ahead 74-73 going into the fourth.

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