New Jersey (11-16) at Detroit (17-8) 7:30 pm EST
AUBURN HILLS, Michigan (Ticker) -- The surging Detroit Pistons
began their streak with the New Jersey Nets and hope to extend
it against them also.
Chauncey Billups and the Pistons are looking to push their
winning streak to five games in a row as they host Vince Carter
and the Nets on Tuesday.
In the first matchup on December 16, Billups and fellow guard
Richard Hamilton combined for 53 points as Detroit posted a
90-82 triumph at Continental Airlines Arena.
Nazr Mohammed had season highs of 19 points and 10 rebounds to
lead six Pistons in double figures in Saturday's easy 108-81
victory over the Atlanta Hawks.
With Nets center Nenad Krstic out for the remainder of the
season with a torn ACL, Detroit should be able to control the
paint with its steadily improving frontcourt.
Reserve forward Jason Maxiell is averaging close to 13 points
and six rebounds in his last four contests for the Pistons, who
are 8-3 at home.
"(Maxiell's) going to play," Pistons coach Flip Saunders said.
"He's earned that just from how he has played. He's a high
energy guy."
Jason Kidd had 21 points and 11 assists and Carter and Richard
Jefferson scored 18 as New Jersey dropped its second straight
game with a 115-104 loss to Milwaukee on Saturday.