Suns make it a dozen, Nets tip Knicks and Billups shoots down T'Wolves for Pistons

The Suns made it 12 in a row, the Nets made it tough on themselves against the Knicks and the Pistons made it to double overtime and won thanks to Chauncey Billups. <br/><br/>Steve Nash came up big down

Saturday, January 20th 2007, 6:17 am

By: News On 6

The Suns made it 12 in a row, the Nets made it tough on themselves against the Knicks and the Pistons made it to double overtime and won thanks to Chauncey Billups.

Steve Nash came up big down the stretch with six points and an assist in the final 1:17 as Phoenix extended its latest double-digit winning streak with a 106-101 victory over Portland on Thursday night.

``We were very lucky to win tonight,'' Nash said. ``They had a lot of 3s go in and out. We made some difficult shots at the end. We relied on a lot of talent and a lot of luck, and I think that's just not good enough.''

In New York, the Nets blew a double-digit lead in the final 3:43 against the Knicks, but came away with 101-100 victory when Clifford Robinson tipped in a missed shot with 2.8 seconds left.

In Minneapolis, Billups made a tying 3-pointer in the final seconds of the first extra period and the Pistons pulled away from the Timberwolves, playing without Kevin Garnett, in the second OT for a 104-98 victory.

Elsewhere in the NBA, it was: Utah 102, Toronto 94; Washington 114, Orlando 93; Philadelphia 98, Miami 95, OT; Charlotte 96, Atlanta 75; Sacramento 96, Boston 91; San Antonio 99, New Orleans 86; Seattle 99, Milwaukee 72; and Denver 110, Cleveland 99.

The Suns, who won 15 straight earlier this season, have won 28 of 30, but their effort against Portland wasn't what coach Mike D'Antoni has come to expect.

``We just didn't come out with the juice that we should have had mentally,'' D'Antoni said. ``Steve had some big shots at the end, but it shouldn't come down to that. We need to develop a mentality of winning a championship, and it doesn't start in April. It starts right now.''

Zach Randolph matched his season high with 36 points for the Trail Blazers, who rallied from 15 down early in the fourth quarter to cut the lead to three.

Amare Stoudemire scored 23, Boris Diaw 21 and Leandro Barbosa 20 for Phoenix. Nash had 13 points and 15 assists.

At Madison Square Garden, David Lee's follow gave the Knicks a one-point lead with 9.7 seconds left, but the 40-year-old Robinson saved the Nets from an embarrassing loss when he leaped over Eddy Curry to tip in Vince Carter's miss.

Jason Kidd had 23 points, nine assists and seven rebounds as the Nets won their fifth straight on the Knicks' home court.

``For some odd reason we've had a little bit of success here,'' Kidd said. ``We wanted to come out and work hard and we got very fortunate that we didn't let this good opportunity go to waste tonight.''

New Jersey is 17-4 against New York in the regular season since Kidd arrived for the 2001-02 season.

For the Pistons, Billups scored 25 points and made the biggest shot of the game. But a tussle between Garnett and Antonio McDyess that led to both being ejected in the third quarter might have been the difference.

``I know they can win without me. I don't think they can win without K.G.,'' said McDyess, who appeared to start the angry tangle by knocking Mark Madsen over with a forearm shiver while they maneuvered for rebound position with 5:18 remaining in regulation and the score tied.

Garnett got mad and chucked the ball at McDyess, who charged at Garnett with his fist cocked. Garnett was poised to punch, too, and took a swipe at McDyess as he partially retreated, but teammates and officials stayed between the two and no blows were landed.

Garnett had 14 points and tied a season high with 19 rebounds.

After missing eight games because of a calf injury, Billups has scored 51 points over his last two outings. Chris Webber had 16 points and seven rebounds in his first start for Detroit.

``I can't wait until we really become a cohesive unit,'' Billups said. ``Tonight we were pretty fired up, especially late. I can't wait to get back to running all of the plays for this offense.''

Spurs 99, Hornets 86

At San Antonio, Tony Parker scored 23 points and Tim Duncan had 12 points and 16 rebounds to help slumping San Antonio snap a mini-losing streak.

The Spurs had lost two straight and five of nine.

David West, in his first game since missing the last 30 with a right elbow injury, scored 19 points and grabbed 11 rebounds for the Hornets.

Wizards 114, Magic 93

At Orlando, Fla., Antawn Jamison had 31 points and a season-high 16 rebounds to help Washington widen its Southeast Division lead.

Gilbert Arenas scored 30 points for the Wizards.

Grant Hill led Orlando with 24 points, and Dwight Howard had 20 points and 13 rebounds.

Jazz 102, Raptors 94

At Toronto, Mehmet Okur scored 27 points and Carlos Boozer had 23 points and 19 rebounds to lead Utah.

Chris Bosh had 29 points and 11 rebounds for the Raptors, who had won four of their previous five.

76ers 98, Heat 95, OT

Andre Iguodala and Andre Miller each had 16 points and nine assists and Philadelphia beat Miami after blowing a 17-point lead.

Dwyane Wade had 28 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists for the visiting Heat. He sent the game into overtime after sinking two of three free throws with 2.1 seconds left in regulation.

Kings 96, Celtics 91

At Boston, Kevin Martin scored 27 points and Ron Artest added 19 points and 11 rebounds to help Sacramento snap a seven-game losing streak.

Delonte West led the Celtics with 25 points. Boston has lost six straight.

Bobcats 96, Hawks 75

At Atlanta, Gerald Wallace, playing for the first time this month because of a separated shoulder, sparked Charlotte with 18 points and 15 rebounds. Emeka Okafor had 22 points and 13 rebounds.

Joe Johnson led Atlanta with 19 points.

Nuggets 110, Cavaliers 99

At Denver, Marcus Camby's season-high 26 points helped offset LeBron James' first triple-double of the season. Allen Iverson added 25 points and nine assists for the Nuggets.

James finished with 30 points, 10 assists and 10 rebounds for the 10th triple-double of his career.

SuperSonics 99, Bucks 72

At Seattle, Ray Allen scored 21 points in 28 minutes, and the Sonics coasted to their third consecutive win.

Milwaukee lost for the seventh time in its last eight games. Milwaukee fell to 1-4 with its top two scorers _ Michael Redd and Mo Williams _ sidelined with injures.