"Big Baby" Davis grows up as Celtics beat Pistons

Rookie Glen "Big Baby" Davis scored 16 of his 20 points in the fourth quarter Saturday night as the visiting Celtics rallied for a 92-85 victory over the Detroit Pistons, who had their 11-game winning streak snapped.

 "It feels real good to come out here and contribute in a big game," Davis said.

 Paul Pierce had 19 points, nine rebounds and seven assists for Boston (29-3), which extended its winning streak to nine games and avenged an 87-85 home setback to Detroit (26-8) on December 19. Neither Eastern Conference power had lost since that meeting.

 "We felt like we let one get away in (our) house when we played them the first time," Pierce said.

 "We come in here and return the favor," Celtics coach Doc Rivers said. "It was a fun game. Our guys were excited. Our guys needed this. It was good for our team."

   Selected in the second round of the 2007 draft, Davis is a role player, overshadowed by the acquisitions of superstars Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen. As a reserve, the 6-9, 290-pound forward has averaged 4.2 points and 3.2 rebounds.

 "I just know to be ready to play," said Davis, who made 8-of-10 shots and 4-of-5 free throws. "When (coach) calls your number, you have to be ready. I can't worry about if he takes me out. I just gotta go out there and help the team win."

   In a highly anticipated showdown, Davis outshone the "Big Three" of Pierce, Garnett and Allen. The star trio combined for just two points in the final six minutes, while Davis contributed 10 on a variety of nifty moves under the basket.

 Davis converted a feed from Pierce for a 74-72 advantage, and Boston never trailed again. His three-point play extended the margin to 79-74 with 5:54 to go.

 Pierce had a steal and dunk, but Richard Hamilton made a free throw and a 3-pointer to cut the deficit to 81-80 with 2:37 left. Davis answered by going around Rasheed Wallace for a lefthanded layup while drawing a foul. His free throw made it 84-80 with 2:18 to play.

 The Pistons closed to 86-84, but Davis grabbed a big offensive rebound and scored off another pass from Pierce with 56 seconds left.

 "I had good position," Davis said. "The ball bounced just where I could get it."

   After a free throw by Detroit's Chauncey Billups, Davis scored again off penetration from Pierce for a 90-85 lead with 8.5 seconds to go, sending the 201st consecutive sellout crowd at The Palace of Auburn Hills streaming for the exits.

 "They were leaving 'Big Baby' wide open," Pierce said. "He was making the plays for us."

   "He came up big for them," Billups said. "He got a lot of and-ones and he finished well around the basket. He was an unlikely hero."

   A foul-plagued Garnett scored 15 points and Tony Allen added 10 off the bench for Boston, which held a 50-36 advantage in rebounds and a 39-23 edge in bench points.

 The Pistons parlayed Garnett's foul trouble and 10 points from reserve Jason Maxiell into a 24-12 lead early in the second quarter. Powered by Davis and the rest of their bench, the Celtics rallied within 43-41 at halftime and took a 53-52 lead on a jumper by Garnett midway through the third period.

 "When Kevin went out, we lost our fight," Rivers said. "We have to fight back. I thought when we did that, the game changed."

   Hamilton scored 18 points, Billups added 17, Wallace 16 and Maxiell 13 for the Pistons, who shot just 39 per cent (31-of-79) and lost for the first time since December 12 at Houston.

 "We got our butts kicked on the glass, all kind of (Boston) three-point plays or inside shots late, and we still had chances in the last minute, so that would be the one positive," Pistons coach Flip Saunders said.

 The teams meet once more at Boston on March 5.

 Houston 103, New York 91

   Chinese superstar Yao Ming scored 30 points as the host Rockets beat the Knicks for the sixth straight time. Zach Randolph had 18 points and a career-high 22 rebounds for the Knicks, who have lost seven in a row.

 Portland 103, Utah 89

   Martell Webster scored 24 of his career-high 26 points in the third quarter as the host Trail Blazers won for the 16th time in 17 games. Deron Williams scored 23 points for Utah, the only team to beat Portland during its hot streak.

 New Orleans 118, Phoenix 113

   Chris Paul scored 14 of his 28 points in the final period and added 10 assists as the Hornets won their sixth consecutive road game and stopped the host Suns' four-game winning streak. Brazilian Leandro Barbosa scored 28 points for Phoenix.

 New Jersey 113, Atlanta 107

   Jason Kidd had his ninth triple-double of the season with 10 points, 14 assists and 13 assists to lead the visiting Nets to their fifth straight win. Josh Smith scored 34 points for the Hawks.

 Chicago 94, Sacramento 93

   Argentine Andres Nocioni scored 26 points and Ben Wallace had a go-ahead free throw and a blocked shot in the final seconds to help the host Bulls improve to 4-2 under new coach Jim Boylan. Brad Miller scored 22 for the Kings, who have lost six of seven.

By Paul Levine, dpa