McGrady's 38 help Rockets end skid (AP) Updated: 2006-01-04 11:42
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.
Detroit Pistons
guard Chauncey Billups (1) shoots over Orlando Magic guard Jameer Nelson
(14) during the second half of their NBA game at the Palace in Auburn
Hills, Michigan January 03, 2006. Billups led both teams with 37 points as
Detroit defeated Orlando 108-99. [Reuters] | "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.
James sparks Raptors' rally past Hawks
ATLANTA - Mike James scored 28 points and sparked Toronto's fourth-quarter
comeback in the Raptors' 108-97 victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday night.
The win gave Toronto its first three-game winning streak of the season and
five wins in its last seven games.
The Hawks led by 10 in the third quarter but James scored the Raptors' first
eight points of the final period, making two 3-pointers, to lead the comeback.
In the matchup of the NBA's two worst records, Toronto moved to 3-0 against
Atlanta this season, and the Raptors have won the last five games against the
Hawks.
Chris Bosh added 27 points for the Raptors, who made six of seven 3-pointers
in the final quarter.
Joe Johnson, Al Harrington and Zaza Pachulia each had 18 for Atlanta. Josh
Smith finished with 17.
There were 20 lead changes in the first half, with Toronto's five-point lead
late in the half the biggest advantage for either team.
Atlanta led 53-52 at halftime, as Smith had 15 points on 6-for-7 shooting
from the field.
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