Minnesota at New Orleans (8 p.m. EST). The Timberwolves (24-11) are even with the Spurs (26-11) in the loss column in the Midwest Division. They'll look to continue their push for first place when they take on Baron Davis and the Hornets.

STARS

Sunday

_ Vince Carter, Raptors, had 20 points, seven assists, six rebounds and four blocks to lead Toronto over Portland 83-72.

_ Peja Stojakovic, Kings, scored 33 points in Sacramento's 117-106 win over Denver.

DETROIT'S DEFENSE

Detroit allowed 100 points for the first time this season, but the Pistons were still able to outlast Dallas 115-102 on Sunday night. Detroit had its NBA-record streak of not allowing 100 points snapped at 38 games, including 36 this season. The Pistons had held their last two opponents under 70 _ Boston (68) and Houston (66) _ and were trying to become the first team in NBA history to hold three straight teams under 70 points.

BOSTON TEXANS

Boston beat Houston 97-93 Sunday night. It was the Celtics' first win in Texas since a 104-99 victory at Dallas on Feb. 18, 2000.

STREAKING

Detroit won its eighth straight game Sunday night, 115-102 over Dallas. The Pistons hadn't won eight in a row since the 1990-91 season.

DRAWING A CROWD

In front of the 200th consecutive sellout crowd at Arco Arena, Sacramento beat Denver 117-106 Sunday night. The Kings' sellout streak is the NBA's longest.

SPEAKING

``This is a glimpse of where we think we can get to. We can't play this well every night, but this is what we want.'' _ Detroit's Chauncey Billups after the Pistons' convincing 115-102 win over Dallas on Sunday night.