NBA – Pistons beat Celtics to level Eastern Conference final (+ video)

BOSTON (NBA) – The Detroit Pistons handed the Boston Celtics their first defeat at the TD Banknorth Garden in the play-offs and in the process claimed home-court advantage in the Eastern Conference finals.

Richard Hamilton scored 25 points and Chauncey Billups, who is contending for a place in the US Olympic squad, poured in 19 and dished out seven assists as the Pistons won 103-97.

Game Three will be at Auburn Hills, Michigan, on Saturday.

Boston trailed by as many as 11 points in the fourth quarter but stormed back and three times closed the gap to just two points, the last at 92-90 with 3:30 remaining on a jump shot from Kevin Garnett.

Tayshaun Prince and Rasheed Wallace scored the next two baskets, respectively, and the Pistons held on.

Paul Pierce had 26 points, Ray Allen 25 and Garnett 24 with 13 rebounds for Boston. 


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