NBA: Detroit 78, Portland 71

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Chauncey Billups scored 22 points and dictated play down the stretch with his playmaking Wednesday as Detroit overcame Portland, 78-71.

Billups also had seven assists, setting up Richard Hamilton's basket that pulled Detroit within 63-62 with 6:42 left in the fourth quarter. He dished to Tayshaun Prince for a go-ahead dunk on the next trip down the floor to put the Pistons on top for good.

Hamilton finished with 13 points, Corliss Williamson contributed 12 and 10 rebounds and Ben Wallace had 10, 15 and six blocks for Detroit, which ended a six-game losing streak against Portland.

The Pistons, who have won three in a row overall, had not defeated the Trail Blazers since March 22, 2000 and had not beaten them at home since Jan. 29, 1997.

Rasheed Wallace scored 17 points and Zach Randolph had 16 and 14 rebounds, but Portland fell to 1-11 on the road.