Billups fills it up

CLEVELAND - Chauncey Billups was determined to give the Detroit Pistons an overtime victory - even if he had to do it all by himself.

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Billups scored eight consecutive points in overtime and finished with 23 to lead Detroit to a 111-106 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday night.

"I felt we were starting to play not to lose and I stepped it up," Billups said after scoring all but two of Detroit's points in overtime. "I don't know why, but I get these shots late in the game. I welcome that opportunity."

Billups hit a 3-pointer to put Detroit ahead to stay, 106-103. He drove to the basket to score 44 seconds later and added another 3-pointer for an 8-point lead with 1:11 to play as Detroit extended its season-high winning streak to five games.

"That's what we brought him in for," Pistons forward Clifford Robinson said of Billups, signed as a free agent in July. "He did a good job of knocking them down."

Zydrunas Ilgauskas scored 29 points to lead Cleveland, which overcame an 11-point deficit to force overtime. Ilgauskas, who has battled chronic foot injuries in his career, played 40 minutes and appeared to wear down. He shot 1-for-4 without a rebound in overtime.

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"He wasn't coming out of this one no matter what," said coach John Lucas, who was booed by fans when the 7-foot-3 center played only 36 minutes in a double-overtime loss to Milwaukee on Dec. 9. Ilgauskas also voiced displeasure at the move at that time.

"I didn't want Ali-Frazier to break out on the bench," Lucas said in reference to Ilgauskas' desire to play. "I'll take the heat from the powers that be tomorrow."

General manager Jim Paxson and team trainers have insisted Ilgauskas be limited to 35 minutes a game to save wear and tear on his surgically repaired feet.

Cleveland rookie power forward Carlos Boozer Jr., a 1999 Juneau-Douglas High School graduate, posted his seventh double-double of the season with 15 points and 10 rebounds. Boozer also had three blocked shots and a career-high four assists.

Jon Barry scored 17 points for Detroit and hit two 3-pointers during a 15-2 run that put the Pistons ahead 92-81. Cleveland, despite missing seven free throws in the fourth quarter, battled back and tied the score at 101 on two free throws by Ricky Davis with 26.1 seconds to play.

The Pistons failed to get a shot off on their possession, and Cleveland took over with 2.1 seconds left. A wild attempt by Davis from the corner was short.

Davis finished with 20 points and a career-high 11 assists, but shot just 5-for-24. He has averaged 28.7 points over his last eight games.

"Give me some wins," Davis said. "That's what I really want. This is frustrating. We missed free throws, myself included. We're young, sure, but it's time to grow up and win."

Ilgauskas had four points in a 6-0 run to start the fourth quarter that gave the Cavs a 78-74 lead. Davis punctuated the spurt with an acrobatic slam.

Moments later, Chucky Atkins hit a 3-pointer from the right corner and Barry followed with consecutive threes from the wing.

The Cavs shot just 1-for-20 on first-possession shots in the first quarter, but did manage 16 points on second-chance efforts to stay close.

Robinson scored all 13 of his points and hit three of four from 3-point range in the first half to lead Detroit to a 56-50 advantage at the break.

Richard Hamilton, who entered the game leading Detroit with a 20.7 average, scored 12 points but shot just 2-for-15 from the field.

"My left hip hurts, my right elbow, my right thumb," Hamilton said. "I got killed out there."