Prince rules day as Pistons topple Los Angeles

Tayshaun Prince might be the only Detroit starter left out when the All-Star reserves are announced today.

His teammates find that hard to believe.

Prince scored 11 of his 22 points in the first 5 minutes of the fourth quarter, helping the Pistons pull away to a 97-87 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday night at Auburn Hills, Mich.

“He almost carried us to a victory last night, and he did it tonight,” Detroit’s Chauncey Billups said. “He’s just playing great basketball right now.”

Prince scored 29 points in Tuesday’s 99-98 loss in Atlanta, but his hot streak came after the coaches had already voted.

“We’ll have to wait and see what happens,” Pistons coach Flip Saunders said. “There’s no question that he’s deserving and that he’s going to be an All-Star someday.”

The win ended Detroit’s first two-game losing streak of the season.

Los Angeles, missing Sam Cassell (back spasms), had its four-game winning streak snapped.

Spurs 125, Raptors 118 (OT): At Toronto, Tony Parker had 32 points and a season-high 13 assists, Michael Finley scored six of his 23 points in overtime, and San Antonio beat Toronto for its seventh straight win.

Bucks 94, Magic 89 (2OT): At Milwaukee, Michael Redd scored 27 points, including the go-ahead 3-pointer in the second overtime, to lead Milwaukee over Orlando.

Dan Gadzuric added 17 points and Bobby Simmons 15 as the Bucks capitalized on Orlando’s 3-for-17 shooting in the two extra sessions.

Lakers 89, Rockets 78: At Houston, Kobe Bryant scored 32 points and dished out a season-high nine assists to help Los Angeles snap a four-game losing streak.

Cavaliers 97, Timberwolves 91: At Minneapolis, LeBron James scored 12 of his 35 points in the fourth quarter.

Bulls 110, Nuggets 107: At Denver, Ben Gordon scored 30 points and Chicago held off a late surge from Denver to snap a four-game losing streak.

Suns 108, Grizzlies 102: At Phoenix, Shawn Marion scored 21 points and grabbed 16 rebounds, Leandro Barbosa had a season-high 24 points, and Phoenix handed Memphis its fourth straight loss.

Wizards 129, Warriors 124: At Washington, Gilbert Arenas scored 45 points and Caron Butler added a season-high 34 points and 15 rebounds to lead Washington.

Nets 96, Knicks 83: At East Rutherford, N.J., Vince Carter scored 22 points to lead a balanced attack as New Jersey beat New York for its 12th straight home win.

Bobcats 100, 76ers 92: At Charlotte, N.C., Melvin Ely scored 15 of his 19 points in the second half to help Charlotte rally past Philadelphia and extend its winning streak to a franchise-best three games.

Pacers 101, Trail Blazers 69: At Indianapolis, Stephen Jackson scored 25 points, and Indiana held Portland to a franchise-worst 26.7 percent shooting.

Off the court

A trade that would have sent Philadelphia center Steven Hunter to New Orleans was rescinded because of concerns over his physical condition. The trade, originally announced Feb. 1, would have sent Hunter to the Hornets for second-round picks in the 2006 and 2007 draft. … Dirk Nowitzki and Jason Terry were selected to participate in the NBA’s 3-point Shootout on Feb. 18, pitting the Dallas teammates against each other and four others during the All-Star weekend in Houston. Defending champion Quentin Richardson of the New York Knicks, 2001 winner Ray Allen of Seattle, Chauncey Billups of Detroit and Raja Bell of Phoenix are the other participants. … Tim Duncan missed his first game of the season, sitting out San Antonio’s matchup against Toronto with flu-like symptoms. Robert Horry returned after missing eight of the last nine games with an abdominal strain, and started in Duncan’s place. … Boston center Kendrick Perkins dislocated his left shoulder at the end of practice and is day-to-day. … During the Nets’ home game at East Rutherford, N.J., Dick Bavetta, 66, refereed his 2,135th consecutive NBA game, breaking the record held by former referee Jake O’Donnell.