The Celtics allowed 100 or more points for the fifth straight game and have not won since beating the Memphis Grizzlies, the NBA's worst team, 128-119 on January 5.

As if things were not bad enough for the Celtics, the club sent forward Paul Pierce home with an infected elbow. He has missed the last 23 games with a foot injury and his latest setback is likely to keep him out of the lineup until at least the All-Star break.

Boston (12-35) trailed the Pistons by 22 points after three quarters.

"We really didn't have a chance," Boston coach Doc Rivers told reporters. "We played a better team tonight."

The Pistons led by as many as 24 points in the fourth quarter and allowed the Celtics to crawl back into the game after resting a few starters.

Chauncey Billups had 24 points and seven assists to lead the Pistons, who shot 58 percent. Antonio McDyess added 18 points in just 20 minutes on court.

Chris Webber scored 17 points and dished out six assists for Detroit, with Richard Hamilton contributing 10 points and 11 assists.

*Jamal Crawford and Eddy Curry scored 23 points each to help the New York Knicks beat the Los Angeles Clippers 102-90.

*Tracy McGrady had 33 points and eight assists as the Houston Rockets beat the Memphis Grizzlies 98-90. Memphis, which has the worst record in the NBA, lost its third straight game.

*Ruben Patterson had 27 points, seven rebounds and six assists, to lead the Milwaukee Bucks to a 116-111 win over the Orlando Magic.