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Williams, Jazz remain hot with win over Pistons

Jan 4, 2011 - 6:42 AM Salt Lake City, UT (Sports Network) - Deron Williams finished with 22 points and 10 assists, while Raja Bell knocked down a go-ahead three-pointer in the final minute to help Utah pull out a 102-97 victory over Detroit.

Paul Millsap added 15 points and 10 rebounds for the Jazz, who have won 11 in a row against the Pistons. Center Al Jefferson had 16 points, eight boards and three blocks.

Tayshaun Prince netted a game-high 26 points as the Pistons lost for the fourth time in five games. Tracy McGrady added 11 points, 11 assists and nine rebounds.

"I thought he was outstanding," Pistons head coach John Kuester said of McGrady. "Thought he did a good job at controlling the pace of the game, making good decisions with the basketball."

Neither team led by more than nine points, and in the fourth quarter, neither team led by more than three until the final seconds. So, in a sense, the game boiled down to limiting misses and timing.

Williams knocked down a floater with 1:29 remaining to put Utah in front, 95-93. At the other end, Prince drained a jumper to even the contest heading into the final minute.

Utah took its time looking for a good shot on the ensuing possession, and the strategy paid off. Williams made an initial pass to Millsap, who drove toward the hoop before kicking a cross-court pass out to Bell on the left side. Bell drained the shot with 50.7 seconds remaining for a 98-95 advantage.

"It was a pick-and-roll. They were showing hard on me. Didn't really see anything," Williams said of the play. "Thought Paul had a shot. He did a great job of swinging it, getting Raja a nice open look."

Prince missed a three-pointer during the Pistons' next possession, but Austin Daye got the rebound and rookie Greg Monroe stuffed in a bucket with 27.1 seconds left.

Still trailing, Detroit needed to foul and sent Bell to the line with 17.9 ticks on the clock. Bell made both, and McGrady missed a three-pointer with under 10 seconds to go.

Jefferson grabbed the rebound, and Williams sank two foul shots to secure the victory.

Detroit held a 28-25 edge after the first quarter before the Jazz carried a 53-51 lead into halftime. The Pistons were back in front, 79-78, moving to the fourth.

Game Notes

Bell ended with 11 points for Utah, while Andrei Kirilenko had 15 and C.J. Miles 12...The Jazz improved to 13-6 at home...Utah has won two in a row and seven of 10 overall...Richard Hamilton added 15 points off the bench for the Pistons...Detroit has not beaten Utah since March 13, 2005.