East Rutherford, NJ (Sports Network) - Devin Harris tallied a career-high 38 points to lead New Jersey past Detroit, 103-96, spoiling the debut of Allen Iverson in a Pistons uniform.
Iverson, who had 24 points and six assists in defeat, was acquired Monday from the Denver Nuggets in exchange for Chauncey Billups, Antonio McDyess and Cheikh Samb. Iverson hadn't suited up for the Pistons, missing two games since the trade was finalized, because Billups hadn't completed a physical for his new team.
Josh Boone had 18 points and 14 rebounds for the Nets, who snapped a two-game skid. Vince Carter also had 18 points and added seven assists, while Yi Jianlian had 12 points and nine boards in the win.
Richard Hamilton totaled 22 points for the Pistons, who lost for the first time this season to fall to 4-1. Tayshaun Prince ended with 19 points and 11 boards and Rasheed Wallace had 11 and seven.
A pair of free throws from Rodney Stuckey drew the Pistons within a point, 78-77. However, New Jersey got four points, two from Boone and two from Harris, to increase its lead to 82-77 with 8:15 left in the game.
Iverson interjected with a jumper, but Yi nailed a three-pointer, Boone connected on a putback dunk and Carter hit a free throw to up the Nets' lead to 88-79 with 6:11 left in regulation.
An Iverson fadeaway and a 2-of-2 performance from Stuckey at the stripe made it a five-point game, but a basket each from Carter and Jarvis Hayes made it 92-83, Nets, with a little under three minutes left.
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As the clock ran under one minute, a Hamilton three brought the visitors within four points, but Harris responded with a layup and was fouled. He missed the free throw, but grabbed his own rebound and was fouled by Stuckey. Harris made both tries to open a 102-94 lead with 18 seconds left.
The Nets held on down the stretch to secure the win.
The Pistons led 27-14 after the first quarter, but the Nets woke up to cut their deficit to 44-39 at the half.
The teams traded baskets and the lead before eight points from Harris, all coming at the foul line, gave the home team a 70-62 lead with about three minutes left in the third stanza.
The Pistons answered by closing out the third on an 8-2 run to pull within 72-70 heading into the final 12 minutes of play.
