The second time around, Chauncey Billups was better. A couple of nights after struggling in his first game back from injury, the Detroit floor general returned to form leading the Pistons to a 103-97 Game Two victory in Boston Thursday night at TD Banknorth Garden.

More involved offensively, Billups scored 19 points and dished out seven assists as he and running mate Richard Hamilton combined for 44 points including more than half their team’s free throws. Out of the Pistons’ 32, they went to the charity stripe 20 times converting on 17. Detroit as a team shot well from the line going 28-for-32.

All five Detroit starters netted double digits along with key reserve Rodney Stuckey, who contributed 13 to help offset a big night from the Celtics’ big three. Finally, the slumping Ray Allen sprung to life scoring 12 of his 25 in the final quarter to nearly erase an 11-point Piston lead. He shot 9-of-16 from the floor with two three’s while going a perfect five-of-five from the line.

With Allen shooting it, he combined with Kevin Garnett (24 and 13) and Paul Pierce (26, 4 and 5) for 75 of Boston’s 97 points. Rajon Rondo was the only other Celtic in double figures with 10 while grabbing nine boards and dropping a game high eight dimes.

The Celtics had trailed by 11 early in the fourth quarter when suddenly they reeled off eight straight to get within three. But from that point on, a Piston made a big bucket to keep the home club from tying it up. With their guards coming to life, Detroit was able to properly space the floor making it easier to find openings. Whether it was Billups taking the ball hard to the basket for an easy finish or Hamilton coming off a screen putting one in, the Pistons’ experience showed as they broke Boston’s 9-0 home record to earn a split headed back to The Palace.

Rasheed Wallace also made a huge bucket to increase Detroit’s lead to six following an Allen runner which went in and out. Though Allen would make a contested trey over Wallace to slice the deficit to three, it wouldn’t be enough because the Pistons made enough free throws to put the game away.

Now, the pressure will be on the Celtics to win a game on the road. They’re 0-6 so far this Spring. We’ll find out what they’re made of over the weekend.