Chicago ? Chauncey Billups lay sprawled on the floor, left in the dust by Jay Williams’ wicked dribbling skills.

But Billups enacted his revenge, matching his season high with 21 points and drilling a 3-pointer with a minute left to seal the Detroit Pistons’ 86-76 victory over the Chicago Bulls on Thursday night.

“Chauncey was the difference tonight,” Detroit coach Rick Carlisle said of the former University of Colorado guard. “His floor decisions, his shot making, his defense were the difference.”

Billups had plenty of help. Ben Wallace grabbed 21 rebounds, Richard Hamilton had a career-high nine assists to go with his 20 points and Corliss Williamson added 14 points. After losing three straight, the Pistons have won two in a row.

“It was a big game,” said Billups, who scored 10 points in the fourth quarter alone. “That team’s very feisty.”

But not quite ready for prime time. This was Chicago’s first game on national television this season, and the Hawks responded with 41-percent shooting and 16 turnovers ” 12 in the first half alone. Jalen Rose led the Bulls with 15, but he was 7-of-23 from the floor. Marcus Fizer had another strong night off the bench, scoring 13 points on 5-of-9 shooting and grabbing five rebounds.

“I just missed shots,” Rose said. “I couldn’t knock down shots I normally make, but Detroit will do that.”

Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski was at the game, checking up on former Blue Devils star Jay Williams. “It’s good to have him here,” Williams said. “I’ll see him after the game, talk to him about things are going, see how everybody’s doing.”

Chicago Bulls guard Trenton Hassell, right, shoots as Detroit's Ben Wallace, left, Richard Hamilton, lower center, and Corliss Williamson defend in the second quarter of Thursday's game. Detroit won, 86-76, at Chicago's United Center.

T’wolves 113, Hawks 95

Minneapolis – With a handful of new players and some injured ones, too, Kevin Garnett has found himself carrying Minnesota more than ever this season.

He’s doing a pretty good job. Garnett had 21 points, nine assists and eight rebounds, and Minnesota continued its mastery of Atlanta.

“He is the ultimate stat-sheet stuffer,” coach Flip Saunders said. “That just shows you his all-around game.”

Rasho Nesterovic had 18 points and six rebounds, Troy Hudson added 18 points and Joe Smith 15 points and six rebounds for the Timberwolves, who’ve beaten the Hawks seven straight times.

“It’s just more proof he’s one of the best in the league,” Nesterovic said. “It’s just amazing what he can do.”

Glenn Robinson scored 21 points and Shareef Abdur-Rahim 16 for the Hawks — who lost their sixth straight road game and are 2-10 away from home this season.

“Another case where we were going along pretty good for awhile and then started to give up too many rebounds,” said coach Lon Kruger, whose team gave up 30 second-chance points to Minnesota and scored just 18.

“They’re very good and long in the middle,” Kruger said, “so they can do that to you.”

The Hawks had a 10-point lead midway through the first quarter, but soft defense prevented them from keeping it. They’ve allowed 100 or more points in eight of 12 games on the road. Minnesota missed its season high in scoring by one.

“We need to get this corrected now, not 40 or 50 games into the season,” Robinson said. “They have some good scorers over there. You’ve got to get on them, and we didn’t.”

The Timberwolves, who just finished a six-game road trip through the Western Conference, played at Target Center for the first time since Nov. 27. Minnesota hasn’t won more than two in a row all year.

Hornets 93, Jazz 88

Salt Lake City – Baron Davis hit a 3-pointer and converted a three-point play in the final minute.

The Jazz had a chance to tie it at 88 with about 10 seconds to go. But Karl Malone’s jump shot bounced off the rim and the rebound kicked out to Davis, who drove for a layup and was fouled with 6.1 seconds left.

Davis, whose 3-pointer put the Hornets up 88-84 with 58 seconds to go, made the free throw and the Hornets held on for the win.

David Wesley scored 33, going 8-for-10 from 3-point range, and Jamal Mashburn finished with 19 points for the Hornets. Utah lost for the second time in as many games against New Orleans.