BOSTON, Massachusetts (AFP) — Chauncey Billups delivered 28 points, including two clutch free throws, as the Detroit Pistons dealt the Boston Celtics their first home defeat of the National Basketball Association season on Wednesday.
Billups' two free throws with one-tenth of a second left to play proved the difference in the Pistons' 87-85 victory over the Celtics.
Richard Hamilton chipped in 21 points for the Pistons, who improved to 18-7 overall and an NBA leading 9-2 on the road.
Boston, meanwhile saw their 12-game home-court winning streak end. The Celtics had won their last nine games.
Kevin Garnett led the Celtics with 26 points and 12 rebounds.
Ray Allen, returning to action after missing two games with a tender right ankle, scored 24 points.
The game featured the two top defensive teams in the NBA as the Celtics came in allowing just 86.5 points while the Pistons were second at 91.5.
Boston led 65-61 in the final quarter, the Pistons finally taking their first lead since the first quarter with 9:42 to play when Lindsey Hunter hit a 3-pointer.
The Pistons led 85-79 with a minute left, when Boston's Eddie House hit a 3-pointer. Allen tied game at 85-85 with a 3-pointer with 18 seconds to play.
As Billups attempted a jumper in the waning moments, Tony Allen jumped in the air and fouled him, setting up the winning free throws.
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