Pistons Need Extra Three to Win

Grant Hill had 27 points, 16 rebounds and 10 assists for his second triple-double of the season as the Detroit Pistons held off the Phoenix Suns, 108-103, in triple overtime Wednesday night at Auburn Hills, Mich.

It was the second triple-overtime game of the season for the Suns, who beat Portland, 140-139, in quadruple overtime Nov. 14.

Detroit’s victory came only three days after a 97-95 home loss to Vancouver, which dropped the Pistons to 6-11 and led to speculation over the future of Coach Doug Collins.

“I’m really proud of the way we played tonight,” Collins said. “We really wanted to put November behind us, and we did. Now we are 1-0 in December, with a good win against a quality team. Phoenix didn’t have [Kevin Johnson], but they still have a lot of talent.”

Brian Williams had 21 points and 17 rebounds for Detroit, and Lindsey Hunter had 20 and a career-high 11 rebounds. Rex Chapman led Phoenix with 22, and Jason Kidd had 21 points and 10 assists.

Indiana 94, Minnesota 90--The Pacers won for only the second time in games decided by 10 points or less as Reggie Miller scored 27 points to lead Indiana to a victory at Minnesota.

It was Indiana’s fourth consecutive victory and seventh in eight games. Minnesota has lost five of its last six at home and six of seven overall.

Kevin Garnett scored 25 points, including 13 in the fourth quarter, Chris Carr added 19 and Tom Gugliotta had 12 rebounds for the Timberwolves.

Chicago 97, Boston 87--At Boston, Michael Jordan scored 29 points and Dennis Rodman had 17 rebounds as the Bulls avenged an opening-night loss to the Celtics.

Antoine Walker had 19 points and 12 rebounds to lead the Celtics.

Toni Kukoc had 15 points and 11 assists for the Bulls, who missed six of eight late free throws to allow Boston to close within six, then made 10 in a row down the stretch to close out the Celtics.

Seattle 93, New Jersey 89--Vin Baker scored 23 points and Hersey Hawkins made four late free throws and grabbed a key rebound to lead the SuperSonics to a victory at East Rutherford, N.J.

Baker snapped an 87-all tie by making two free throws with 23 seconds left to preserve the victory.

Miami 94, Philadelphia 90--Isaac Austin scored 28 points and Eric Murdock had 11 of his 17 in the fourth quarter to lead the Heat to a victory over the Philadelphia at Miami.

Tim Hardaway added 20 points and 11 assists for Miami. The Sixers were led by Allen Iverson’s 21 points.

Utah 115, Toronto 98--Karl Malone had 23 points and 15 rebounds and Bryon Russell added a season-high 19 points as the Utah Jazz won their sixth consecutive game and handed Toronto its 14th consecutive loss at Salt Lake City.

Damon Stoudamire led Toronto with 25 points, Doug Christie added 17 points and John Wallace and Shawn Respert had 16 each.

Orlando 101, Vancouver 97--Penny Hardaway, the leader in a player revolt against coach Brian Hill last season, scored 22 points as the Orlando Magic beat Hill’s Vancouver Grizzlies at Vancouver.

Derek Strong had 23 points for Orlando in the Magic’s first game against their former coach.