* Tied 109-109 with 19 seconds to play in OT, Travis Outlaw milked the clock down to its final ticks before pulling up and sticking the game-winning jumper in Josh Smith’s grill. “Coach asked me if I wanted to take the last shot,” said Outlaw, recounting a timeout with 19 seconds left. “And I said, ‘Yeah, yeah.’ ”

* After Chauncey Billups sunk a 35-foot triple to tie the game at 100-100 with 3.6 seconds left, Rashard Lewis sent the Pistons packing, banking in a 12-footer to win the game. Billups conceded that the loss, the Pistons’ third straight, wouldn’t be as tough because of Lewis’ late-game heroics. “I can sleep after a game like this,” said Billups. “After the Chicago game, it’s tough. I’m up at five in the morning, mad, rewinding on what the heck’s going on. Game like this, the dude hit a tough shot.”

* The most exciting aspect of the Knicks/Celtics game yesterday afternoon was the spat between Paul Pierce and Quentin Richardson that led to their ejections. Doc Rivers scolded his whole squad for jawing too much, saying “New York’s playing extremely well right now and there’s some frustration. But we can’t answer to it. We can’t get in a moaning contest when you got a lead on the road.”

* Add this to Rivers’ discontent: both Pierce and Ray Allen congratulated four members of the NFC Champion N.Y. Giants who sat courtside during the game. “I didn’t like any of it. I didn’t like our behavior. I understand where you have to be a competitor. But the game is a competition and not a show.”

* At first, reports emerged that Jermaine O’Neal was so worried about his knee, he would have to miss the rest of the ‘08 season. He said that missing the remainder of the season is “really the prime option for me.” “We’re going to rehab now like it was the summer with an extensive rehab,” O’Neal continued. “What’s more important right now is doing the things necessary to get back healthy and also not have to get my whole knee replaced in 10 years.”

* Pacers’ coach Jim O’Brien is far more optimistic, suggesting that O’Neal will be able to return to the lineup soon. “I’m proceeding with the assumption of what our medical people tell me,” said O’Brien. “They feel it’s a bone bruise that can be cleaned up and he’ll be ready to go.”

* After Trevor Ariza rolled his foot and in his words, it “kind of just cracked,” the Lakers signed center D.J. Mbenga to address the extended loss of Andrew Bynum while also rounding out their 15-man roster. That move seems to have brought an end to the pursuit of Chris Webber.

* It can’t help that Jim O’Brien went on a tirade disparaging Webber during his days in Philly. “It became very apparent he wasn’t going to give the 76ers everything we had hoped for,'’ said O’Brien. “Webber didn’t practice at all that year prior to coming to us. I think he was just at the point where he didn’t necessarily feel where he was in need of practice, or could practice, or couldn’t practice and play at the same time.” Laughably, O’Brien added, “He said, ‘Coach, I don’t do the low-post thing anymore.’ We just made a major trade to bring in this guy and he said, ‘No.’ I said, ‘Yes, you do.’ ‘’

* The Wizards defied their reputation as a weak defensive team yet again yesterday, holding Dallas to a measly 41.3% rate from the field and forcing 16 turnovers in their convincing 102-84 win. “I think that our behavior and our demeanors are in the right place at both ends,” said Eddie Jordan. “We are being nastier and grittier defensively, and offensively we know how to execute and we know how to share.”

* Etan Thomas received a warm welcome when he appeared on the Verizon Center’s jumbotron during yesterday’s win over the Mavs. He will return once his sternum is fully healed, and noted that his ongoing conflict with Brendan Haywood is a thing of the past. “All of that is kind of water under the bridge,” Thomas said. “I’m going to come back and be competitive. That’s how I’m supposed to be. . . . It’s not a matter of me versus him. That’s not really the issue.”

* ‘Melo squirmed on the hardwood after sustaining a “substantial sprain” to his left ankle during last night’s 116-99 loss to the Lakers. Although X-rays came back negative, Anthony was still in considerable pain. “It’s hurting real bad,” Anthony said from the locker room. “I’m struggling trying to put this sock on. But I’ll get rehab and see how it feels.”

* The Warriors fell to a sub-.500 team for the first time at home this season, in a 109-106 loss to Minnesota. “I was pretty disappointed in our performance,” Coach Don Nelson said. “It was like trying to get blood out of a turnip for me. . . . I just couldn’t get anybody to play.” Stephen Jackson wasn’t so distressed about the L. “(Bleep) happens,” Jackson said. “Ain’t nobody gonna lose no sleep over this game. … It’s the league, man, ups and downs.”

* Ryan Gomes had 35 points and 11 boards for the Wolves.

* The Bulls couldn’t hang with Memphis last night, and frankly only seem to be competing with the Knicks for the greatest saga of the season. Four Grizzlies finished last night’s 104-90 win over Chicago with double-doubles. “You see opportunity looking at you as the schedule rolls forward,'’ said Jim Boylan. ‘’Then you kind of hope and project something good will happen to your team — something will click, and the light will go on. We have not found that switch yet.”