Celtics Get Their Balls Back

Perhaps " untouchable" wasn't the right word to describe the DeTroit (I like it better that way) Pistons. Last night they had a chance to stick it to the Celtics again, and this time they had the pleasure of hosting the action. Yet it was not to be. The Celtics relied on Glen Davis'...uh...muscle to lead the way past the bruising Pistons 92-85. The rookie's 20 points were a game high (stupid unselfish NBA teams) and almost everybody else contributed something positive, but point guard Rajon Rondo brought nothing to the table for the second straight game. The Pistons backcourt did most of the team's scoring, but Billups and Hamilton's combined 35 points came on 10 of 28 from the field.

• Roy's Sore Butt Doesn't Stop Blazers. Portland dispatched of Utah despite having to make due without their leader for most of the game. Brandon Roy was forced to the sidelines by his bruised tailbone but Martell Webster and LaMarcus Aldridge were aided by a huge performance from the bench (43 points). The Jazz couldn't take advantage of their weakened opposition, possibly because they were without a starter themselves in Andrei Kirilenko. Deron Williams was efficient but Carlos Boozer was horrendous, the final was 103-89.

• New Orleans Is Boss. Chris Paul took things into his own hands and led the Hornets to a huge 118-113 win over Steve Nash and the Suns. Paul put up a line of 28/10/5 and all four other starters scored at least 19 points each.