Pistons top Rockets despite McGrady's 43
(AP)
Updated: 2006-01-23 15:33

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. - Chauncey Billups and Richard Hamilton each scored 24 points, and the Detroit Pistons overcame Tracy McGrady's season-high 43 to beat the Houston Rockets 99-97 Sunday for their seventh straight win.

Detroit Pistons forward Tayshaun Prince, left, takes a shot against Houston Rockets forward Chuck Hayes (44) in the first half of their NBA basketball game Sunday, Jan. 22, 2006, in Auburn Hills, Mich. [AP]

McGrady was only 2-for-8 from the field in the fourth quarter as Houston (13-26) lost for the eighth time in nine games. Rockets forward Ryan Bowen left the game early in the second quarter after complaining of an irregular heartbeat.

The Rockets led 88-87 in the fourth quarter before Maurice Evans hit a 3-pointer with 6:28 to play that gave Detroit (33-5) the lead for good. The Pistons had to sweat out a potential go-ahead or tying basket in the last 3 seconds, as Houston's Luther Head missed a 3-pointer and Juwan Howard's attempted tip bounced off the rim.

The Pistons had a 55-46 halftime lead, with McGrady keeping Houston close by scoring 21 points on 8-for-15 shooting. He was even better in the third quarter, when he was 7-for-10 and scored 16 points. He and David Wesley had baskets in the last 7 seconds of the period to cut the Detroit lead to 78-77.

Ben Wallace had 13 points and 15 rebounds for the Pistons, who are 17-3 at the Palace of Auburn Hills this season. Rasheed Wallace and Evans added 11 apiece.

Howard scored 16 for the Rockets.