Jazz makes Webber’s debut a losing one

Chris Webber’s debut and Chauncey Billups’ comeback were spoiled by a team the Detroit Pistons can’t seem to beat.

Deron Williams scored a career-high 31 points, had 10 assists and made a three-point basket with 44 seconds left to help the Utah Jazz hold off Detroit for a 100-99 victory Wednesday night at Auburn Hills, Mich.

The Pistons had a chance to win after a timeout with 5.1 seconds left, but Billups missed a three-pointer just before the buzzer as the Jazz improved to 4-0 against Detroit over the last two seasons.

Webber, who signed Tuesday, entered with 10:07 left in the first half to a standing ovation. He made his first shot before missing his next four and finished with two points, five rebounds and three assists over 17 minutes in his first game since Dec. 27.

Philadelphia bought out the final 1 1/2 years of his contract last week.

“I’m sure people expected more, but you can’t judge this on one night,” he said. “I’m telling you, this is going to be special.”

Billups had 26 points and seven assists after sitting out eight games because of a calf injury.

Phoenix 100, Houston 91 -- Steve Nash had 21 points and 14 assists as the streaking Suns overcame an early 15-point deficit at Houston to win their 11th straight game.

Rafer Alston matched a career high with 29 points to lead the Rockets, who played without Tracy McGrady, who has an injured back.

Toronto 101, Sacramento 85 -- The Kings were held to six-of-17 shooting and were outscored, 33-16, in the fourth quarter at Toronto in their seventh straight loss.

Morris Peterson scored 22 points for the Raptors, whose reserves outscored the Kings’ 50-12.

Mike Bibby scored 21 points for the Kings, who are on their longest losing streak since closing the 1997-98 season with seven consecutive losses.

Washington 99, New York 98 -- Caron Butler dunked with 2.2 seconds left to give the Wizards the victory at Washington.

Butler had 27 points and a career-high 10 assists. Gilbert Arenas was held to 16 points. Quentin Richardson scored a season-high 35 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for the Knicks.

Atlanta 105, Minnesota 88 -- Joe Johnson had 29 points and eight assists at Atlanta to lead the Hawks to their third straight victory, their longest streak since winning four in a row from Nov. 3-10.

The Timberwolves’ Kevin Garnett missed his first seven shots but had 13 points on six-of-15 shooting, scoring at least 10 points in his 359th straight game, the eighth-longest streak in NBA history.

Chicago 99, Milwaukee 90 -- Andres Nocioni scored 21 points, Ben Gordon had 20 and Luol Deng had 19 to help the Bulls win for only the second time in their last 17 games at Milwaukee.

Milwaukee, which got a career-high 22 points from 19-year-old Ersan Ilyasova, committed a season-high 26 turnovers.

New Jersey 92, Charlotte 85 -- Vince Carter scored 26 points to help the Nets prevail at Charlotte, N.C., despite once leading by 23.

Emeka Okafor led Charlotte with 14 points and 21 rebounds.

Portland 94, Cleveland 76 -- Zach Randolph had 26 points and 12 rebounds and the Trail Blazers sent the Cavaliers to 2-3 on a seven-game trip.

LeBron James scored 23 points for Cleveland.

Memphis 118, Philadelphia 102 -- Mike Miller scored 30 points and the Grizzlies led by as many as 25 in ending a three-game losing streak in a matchup of the NBA’s two worst teams.

Kyle Korver scored 30 for the 76ers.