SuperSonics fall after torrid start

Tayshaun Prince scored 24 points, Chauncey Billups added 20 points and nine assists, and the Detroit Pistons overcame a slow start to beat the Seattle SuperSonics 100-97 Tuesday night in Auburn Hills, Mich.

Seattle shot 82 percent in the first quarter on its way to a 41-28 lead, but that fell to 32 percent in the final three periods as the SuperSonics lost for the fifth time in six games. The Pistons have won five of six and have defeated the Sonics seven straight times.

Billups’ buzzer-beating 3-pointer cut Seattle’s lead to 78-77 going into the fourth, and the Pistons took control with a 13-2 run to begin the period. The Sonics, who went 0 for 12 to start the second quarter, started the fourth by missing 10 of their first 11.

Seattle pulled within 96-94 on Earl Watson’s driving layup with 43 seconds left, but Amir Johnson answered with a basket at the other end.

Prince blocked Kevin Durant’s shot, and Watson and Chris Wilcox both missed desperate shots before Billups clinched the game from the line.

Watson had 23 for Seattle, while Wilcox and Durant added 20 apiece.

After reaching a season high for points in the first quarter on 18-of-21 shooting, the Sonics collapsed early in the second, managing just one point in the first 7 minutes.

That let the Pistons pull to 42-38 after trailing by as many as 15, and Seattle’s lead was just 54-53 at the half.

“Oklahoma City voters approved a sales tax extension to fund $121.6 million in improvements to a downtown arena and build a practice facility in hopes of luring an NBA team, reportedly the Sonics.

The proposal received support from 44,849 voters, or 62 percent of those who cast ballots, according to final results from the Oklahoma County Election Board.

Warriors 135, Hawks 118: At Atlanta, Baron Davis scored 35 points and Stephen Jackson had 29 to lead Golden State over the Hawks.

The Warriors, who lead the NBA in scoring, set their season high for points. Golden State improved to 16-12 on the road, its most victories away from Oakland since 1993-94.

Monta Ellis scored 20 points and Mickael Pietrus finished with 19 points and 12 rebounds for the Warriors.

Magic 102, Raptors 87: At Orlando, Fla., Hedo Turkoglu scored 24 points, Dwight Howard overcame a slow start to collect 19 points and 14 rebounds, and the Magic beat Toronto.

Howard had only three points on 1-for-3 shooting until the fourth quarter, sitting long stretches with foul trouble. He seemed energized after the rest, and scored six straight in a 1:10 stretch that expanded Orlando’s lead to 89-79 with 6 minutes remaining.

Bobcats 109, Timberwolves 89: At Minneapolis, Jason Richardson had 25 points and eight rebounds, Emeka Okafor added 19 points and 11 boards, and Charlotte snapped a nine-game road losing streak with a victory over Minnesota.

Matt Carroll scored 18 points for the Bobcats.

Bulls 112, Grizzlies 97: At Chicago, Drew Gooden and Luol Deng scored 21 points apiece, and the Bulls beat Memphis to extend the Grizzlies’ losing streak to nine games.

Gooden had his best game since the Bulls acquired him. He was a force inside, hitting 10 of 15 shots and grabbing 14 rebounds.

Kirk Hinrich added 19 points and 12 assists, while Andres Nocioni scored 20.

Spurs 81, Nets 70: At San Antonio, Tim Duncan had 29 points and 12 rebounds, and the Spurs beat New Jersey for their 10th straight victory.

Manu Ginobili added 12 points for San Antonio.

Vince Carter led New Jersey with 19 points. New addition Devin Harris added 13 points.

Lakers 117, Kings 105: At Sacramento, Calif., Kobe Bryant scored 17 of his 34 points in an electric fourth-quarter performance, and Pau Gasol added 31 points in Los Angeles’ 12th victory in 13 games.

Bryant scored all of his fourth-quarter points in the final 5:56, including 11 straight.

Suns 97, Trail Blazers 92: At Portland, Amare Stoudemire scored 22 points and Phoenix fought off a late surge by the Trail Blazers for a victory.

Phoenix had lost two straight and was 2-4 since adding center Shaquille O’Neal to the lineup.

O’Neal finished with six points and 13 rebounds.

Off the court

Washington guard Gilbert Arenas participated in his first full-contact practice in 31/2 months. … The NBA reinstated Chris Andersen from a drug suspension, and New Orleans will have the first chance to sign their former player. … Detroit signed center Theo Ratliff, who was released Friday by the Minnesota Timberwolves. … The Boston Celtics hope they have the last piece of the championship puzzle now that veteran Sam Cassell has passed his physical and signed a contract. … Dwyane Wade and the Miami Heat will begin preseason play in Paris and London this October against the New Jersey Nets as part of the NBA Europe Live tour, a person with knowledge of the schedule told the Associated Press.