Pistons edge Celtics

Posted December 19, 2007 10:00 pm

Associated Press

Chauncey Billups hit 2 free throws with one-tenth of a second left and the Detroit Pistons handed the Celtics their first home loss of the season, 87-85 on Wednesday night.

The Celtics (20-3) had matched their best start ever, also achieved by the 1963-64 team that eventually won the NBA title. Boston had won its first 12 home games, its most since a club-record 17 by the 1957-58 squad.

Billups, who scored 12 of his team-high 28 points in the final quarter, was fouled by Tony Allen. On the previous possession, Billups' turnover gave the Celtics a chance to grab the lead.

Richard Hamilton added 21 points for Detroit (18-7) in a matchup of the Eastern Conference's top teams.

Kevin Garnett led the Celtics with 26 points and Ray Allen, who returned after missing the last two games because of a sore right ankle, had 24, including a game-tying 3-pointer with 18.9 seconds to play.

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