Billups keys Pistons' win over Cavs in OT

CLEVELAND (AP) -- Chauncey Billups was determined to lead the Detroit Pistons in a rare overtime appearance -- even if he had to do it all himself.
Billups scored eight consecutive points in the extra session and finished with 23 in Detroit's 111-106 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday night -- the Pistons' first overtime in 107 games since April 17, 2001.
"I felt we were starting to play not to lose and I stepped it up," Billups said after scoring all but two of Detroit's points in overtime. "We needed a game like this. It will bring this team together with trust and cohesiveness to play as a unit."
Key baskets
Billups hit a 3-pointer to put Detroit ahead to stay, 106-103. He scored on a drive to the basket 44 seconds later, and added another 3-pointer for an 8-point lead with 1:11 remaining as Detroit won its fifth in a row.
"That's what we brought him in for," forward Clifford Robinson said of Billups, signed as a free agent in July.
Zydrunas Ilgauskas scored 29 points to lead Cleveland, which overcame an 11-point deficit in the fourth. Ilgauskas, who has battled chronic foot injuries in his career, played 40 minutes and appeared to wear down. He shot 1-for-4 without a rebound in overtime.
"He wasn't coming out of this one no matter what," said coach John Lucas, who was booed when the 7-foot-3 center played only 36 minutes in a double-overtime loss to Milwaukee on Dec. 9. Ilgauskas also voiced some displeasure at that time.
"I didn't want Ali-Frazier to break out on the bench," Lucas said in reference to Ilgauskas' desire to play. "I'll take the heat from the powers that be tomorrow."
Ilgauskas' status
General manager Jim Paxson and team trainers have insisted Ilgauskas be held to 35 minutes a game to save wear and tear on his surgically repaired feet.
Jon Barry scored 17 points for Detroit and hit two 3-pointers during a 15-2 run that put the Pistons ahead 92-81.
"Offensively we got bailed out tonight because our defense wasn't particularly good," Barry said.
Cleveland, despite missing seven free throws in the fourth quarter, battled back and tied it at 101 on two free throws by Ricky Davis with 26.1 seconds remaining.
The Pistons failed to get a shot, and Cleveland took over with 2.1 seconds to go. A wild attempt by Davis from the corner was short.
He finished with 20 points and a career-high 11 assists, but shot just 5-for-24.
Wants victories
"Give me some wins," said Davis, who has averaged 28.7 points over his last eight games. "That's what I really want. This is frustrating. We missed free throws, myself included. We're young, sure, but it's time to grow up and win."
The Cavaliers shot just 1-for-20 on first-possession shots in the first quarter, but did manage 16 points on second-chance efforts to stay close.
Robinson scored all 13 of his points in the first half and hit three of four from 3-point range to lead Detroit to a 56-50 advantage at the break.
Cleveland's Richard Hamilton, who entered with a team-leading 20.7 average, scored 12 points but shot just 2-for-15 from the field.