NBA BASKETBALL

Billups’ 28 points, disputed shot lift Pistons to win

Chauncey Billups 28 points, three coming on a disputed shot at the end of the third quarter, and the Detroit Pistons got past the Orlando Magic for a 100-93 win Monday night and a 2-0 lead in the second-round series.

Suns allow coach D’Antoni to talk to other teams

The Phoenix Suns granted permission for coach Mike D’Antoni to talk to other teams, with the Chicago Bulls and the Knicks apparently the leading suitors.

General manager Steve Kerr confirmed Monday that D’Antoni can speak with other NBA teams about coaching vacancies but indicated he still wants to persuade the coach to stay with the Suns.

“As we continue to convey, we value Mike D’Antoni as the head coach of the Phoenix Suns and would like him to continue leading this basketball team,” Kerr said in a statement issued by the team. “Because he has requested to speak to other teams about their head coaching vacancies, we have granted him permission.”

Bryant to be named MVP

The NBA has scheduled a news conference todat at a Los Angeles hotel, where Kobe Bryant is expected to be announced as winner of his first Most Valuable Player award. Neither NBA spokesman Mark Broussard nor the Lakers would discuss the subject of the news conference, although the league did refer to it as an NBA Awards Announcement. The Los Angeles Times reported last Friday that the 29-year-old Bryant had won the award. League spokesman Brian McIntyre refused to confirm or deny the report on Saturday.

BASEBALL

Tigers designate Jacque Jones for assignment

Jacque Jones was cut yesterday by the Detroit Tigers, who had promised a lineup shakeup going into a homestand against the Boston Red Sox and Yankees. Detroit designated Jones for assignment and has 10 days to trade the outfielder, put him on unconditional release waivers or send him outright to the minors.

OLYMPICS

Clothing and gestures To be scrutinized at Olympics

Athletes who bust out their “Free Tibet” T-shirts or raise their fists in a show of solidarity on the medal stand will be breaking the rules at the Beijing Olympics. What Olympic leaders will do to those who flout those rules, however, is still anybody’s guess. With the Beijing Games less than 100 days away, the IOC clarified its protest rules yesterday, saying that athletes’ external appearance, clothing and gestures would be scrutinized at the Olympic venues.