NEW YORK, 3 December 2003 — Chauncey Billups scored 24 points, seven in overtime, to nudge the Detroit Pistons past the New York Knicks 79-78 on Monday.

The Knicks had Antonio McDyess in their lineup for the first time. He scored two points on 0-for-5 shooting from the field and had three rebounds as he played for only 13 minutes.

McDyess, who fractured his kneecap in a preseason game soon after the Knicks acquired the forward from Detroit 14 months ago, was tentative in his debut for New York. The Knicks led by 15 points at one stage but totaled nine points in the third quarter and 14 in the fourth to blow the advantage.

Mehmet Okur scored 14 points for the Pistons and blocked Michael Doleac’s jumper on the buzzer.

Corliss Williamson added 12 points for the Pistons, who have won three straight, while Ben Wallace pulled down 14 rebounds.

Allan Houston led New York with 20 points.

Grizzlies 96 Celtics 89

In Boston, Pau Gasol collected 19 points to guide the Memphis Grizzlies to a 96-89 triumph over the Celtics. Lorenzen Wright added 14 points and 13 rebounds for the Grizzlies, who beat Boston for the first time in three years.

Paul Pierce had 26 points for Boston while Mike Miller claimed 10 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds.

Bulls 97 Bucks 87

In Chicago, Jamal Crawford piled up 30 points to hand new coach Scott Skiles victory in his debut as the Bulls beat the Milwaukee Bucks, 97-87. New Bulls Jerome Williams and Antonio Davis, acquired from Toronto on the weekend, turned in solid efforts. Williams had 13 points and 10 rebounds while Davis added 11 points.

Michael Redd notched 26 points for the Bucks while Desmond Mason picked up 18 points and 11 rebounds.

Jazz 91 Nets 84

In Salt Lake City, Andrei Kirilenko scored 18 points and had 10 rebounds to lead the Utah Jazz past the New Jersey Nets, 91-84.

DeShawn Stevenson had 18 points and Matt Harpring 16 points and nine rebounds for the Jazz while Greg Ostertag chipped in with 10 points and 10 rebounds.

Richard Jefferson grabbed 22 points for the Nets and Jason Kidd 15.

Pacers 89 Suns 82

In Phoenix, Jermaine O’Neal had 32 points, 14 rebounds and eight blocks as the Indiana Pacers improved to 15-3 with an 89-82 win over the Suns.

Al Harrington added 18 points, seven assists and six rebounds for the Pacers, who were mauled by the Lakers at Los Angeles on Sunday. Shawn Marion replied with 15 points and 12 rebounds for Phoenix while Stephon Marbury had 14 points and 10 assists.

Clippers 91 Spurs 83

In Los Angeles, Corey Maggette poured in 24 points as the Clippers ended a six-game losing streak with a 91-83 victory over the San Antonio Spurs. Chris Kaman added 15 points and 12 rebounds for Los Angeles (5-8), which handed the Spurs their seventh road loss in nine games.