Boston, Feb 01: Visiting Detroit Pistons hold on for a 106-103 win over Boston Celtics. Chauncey Billups and Mehmet Okur each scored 21 points to lead Detroit Pistons to a 106-103 away win over Boston Celtics at the Fleet Center on Wednesday (January 28). Richard Hamilton added 17 points for the Pistons, who made 15-of-16 free throws in the fourth quarter to end a three-game losing streak. Paul Pierce scored 26 points for the Celtics, who suffered their second straight loss in what was their first game under interim head coach John Carroll. Carroll replaced Jim O'Brien, who resigned on Tuesday. Jiri Welsch added 19 points and Chris Mihm contributed 16 points -- a career-high with Boston. Ben Wallace added 14 points and 15 rebounds for Detroit, who scored seven straight points late in the fourth quarter to overturn a three-point deficit.


A three-pointer from the left wing by Billups with 2:04 to go put the Pistons ahead 95-93. Two foul shots from Wallace 30 seconds later put the team ahead 97-93.


Two free throws by Pierce with 1:26 to play brought the Celtics within 97-95. But they never took a shot to force a tie or go ahead after a turnover by Welsch on their ensuing possession.


Tayshaun Prince then hit a jumper to put the Pistons ahead 99-95 with 42.7 seconds remaining.


A three-pointer by Mike James brought Boston within 100-98 with 17.2 seconds to go, but two free throws by Hamilton made it a two-possession game.


The Celtics pulled within 104-103 on a three-pointer by James with 8.4 seconds to play. But Billups hit two free throws for Detroit for the final margin.


James took the final shot, a three-pointer from the right wing, but it bounced off the rim as time expired.


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