Billups, Pistons Clinch in the East

Chauncey Billups wants it all: NBA title No. 2 and a most-valuable-player trophy.

Billups helped the Detroit Pistons earn home-court advantage throughout the Eastern Conference playoffs and might have rekindled his MVP candidacy in the process.

He scored 35 points against reigning MVP Steve Nash and his three-point basket with 3:40 left put the Pistons ahead for good in a 109-102 come-from-behind victory over the Phoenix Suns on Sunday at Auburn Hills, Mich.

“I think I made a good case,” Billups said. “It would mean a lot. Not as much as another championship, but it means a lot to even be mentioned.”

Billups helped Detroit (59-14) overcome a 16-point third-quarter deficit while Nash struggled, making four of 11 shots and finishing with 13 points.

“This is the third of our five steps, but this one might be the most important of the first four, because of the 2-2-1-1-1 format in the conference finals,” Detroit Coach Flip Saunders said.

The first two goals were to make the playoffs and win the division, and the last two are to clinch the best record in the league and win a second title in three years.

Detroit expects to be without Rasheed Wallace on Tuesday at home against Charlotte. Wallace is subject to a one-game suspension for picking up his 16th technical foul.

“I don’t care about No. 16,” Wallace said. “I’m just going to be cheering from home.”

Shawn Marion scored 32 for Phoenix.

New Jersey 90, Miami 78 -- Vince Carter had 43 points, including 20 in the third quarter, as the Nets beat the visiting Heat for their 12th win in a row.

Dwyane Wade had 32 points for Miami. Shaquille O’Neal, playing his first game after missing two because of a hyperextended left knee, was mired in foul trouble for the Heat. He finished with 18 points and six rebounds in 36 minutes.

Dallas 103, Denver 79 -- Dirk Nowitzki had 30 points and 12 rebounds at Dallas to help the Mavericks end a season-high three-game losing streak.

Carmelo Anthony scored 25 for the Nuggets.

Cleveland 101, Charlotte 97 -- LeBron James had 35 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists, including five free throws in the final 1:12, to help the visiting Cavaliers win their eighth in a row.

Philadelphia 114, New York 95 -- Allen Iverson scored 32 points at Philadelphia to help the 76ers beat the Knicks for the second time in three days. Andre Iguodala had 20 points for the 76ers.

New Orleans 120, Toronto 113 -- Chris Paul had 24 points, 12 assists and 12 rebounds for his first triple-double as the visiting Hornets won in double overtime.

Charlie Villanueva had 25 points and a career-high 18 rebounds for Toronto.

Minnesota 106, Golden State 104 -- Ricky Davis made three free throws in the final 12 seconds of overtime at Minneapolis and Marcus Banks scored 24 points to lead the Timberwolves.

Jason Richardson scored 33 for the Warriors.

Memphis 98, Atlanta 87 -- Chucky Atkins scored 19 points at Memphis, Tenn., to help the Grizzlies end a three-game losing streak.

Seattle 122, Portland 83 -- Ray Allen had 24 points at Seattle to help hand the visiting Trail Blazers their 11th loss in a row.