Billups Exploits Third Chance

It took three chances, but Chauncey Billups finally put away the Memphis Grizzlies.

After missing last-second shots in regulation and the first overtime, Billups connected on a 15-footer with 0.3 seconds left Monday night to give the Detroit Pistons a 106-104 double-overtime victory over the Grizzlies at Memphis, Tenn.

“I didn’t get it to go at first,” he said. “But you know how we do. We kept sticking around and sticking around and kept getting those chances, and I took it.”

Billups, who led Detroit with a season-high 30 points and nine assists, took the inbounds pass from Tayshaun Prince, dribbled to the left side of the key and sank the shot to send the Pistons to their fourth straight win.

“You have to understand that [the Grizzlies] compete hard, and mental fatigue and mental mistakes happen,” Piston Coach Flip Saunders said. “But we did not want them to have the ball in their hands to win the game.”

The Grizzlies, who lost for the fourth time in five games, had tied the game at 104-104 when Damon Stoudamire made a three-point basket from the top of the key with 4.6 seconds left. Stoudamire had nine points in the second overtime.

Pau Gasol, who led the Grizzlies with 32 points and 13 rebounds, scored in the final seconds of regulation and the first overtime to force the extra periods.

Charlotte 106, Sacramento 103 -- Primoz Brezec scored five of his 26 points in overtime to help the Hornets prevail at Charlotte, N.C., despite going scoreless for the final 2:25 of the extra period and playing without forward Emeka Okafor, who badly sprained his right ankle in the third quarter.

Mike Bibby missed a three-pointer at the buzzer. Shareef Abdur-Rahim had 32 points for the Kings, who lost their third consecutive game.

Seattle 111, Washington 101 -- Rashard Lewis scored 30 points, eight in the final three minutes, and Seattle ended a four-game home losing streak.

Gilbert Arenas had 30 points for Washington, which lost its third in a row.

Boston 109, Golden State 98 -- Ricky Davis had 21 points at Boston to help the Celtics recover from a 32-point loss Saturday at Chicago.

Troy Murphy had 27 points and 12 rebounds for the Warriors, who have lost five of seven.

Toronto 92, Orlando 90 -- Morris Peterson scored 19 points, including a clinching three-pointer with eight seconds left, for the Raptors, who have earned four of their five victories on the road. They are 1-12 at home. Steve Francis scored 20 points for the Magic.

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Houston Rocket center Yao Ming is expected to miss “several weeks” after undergoing surgery on his infected left big toe, the team said. Backup Dikembe Mutombo’s status was not known after he left Sunday’s game against the Lakers because of a dislocated left finger. The Rockets have no other centers.... Washington Wizard guard Jarvis Hayes, who had started 13 games, was diagnosed with a fractured right kneecap. He was sent home after feeling discomfort Friday against the Lakers.... Utah Jazz rookies Deron Williams and Robert Whaley were fined by the team and Whaley suspended for one game after being cited for lying about their names to police in a Dec. 11 bar fight. Whaley was also punished for lying to the team about a cut on his hand that he suffered in the fight.