Detroit Pistons Team Report - January 12

(Basketball News) - The defending world champion Detroit Pistons host the New Orleans Hornets tonight at The Palace of Auburn Hills.

This is the second and final meeting of the season between the teams. On December 4th, the Pistons knocked off the Hornets, 92-69, at New Orleans Arena. Overall, the road team has won 13 of the last 19 games in this series. The Hornets have lost three of their last five at Detroit.

Detroit, which starts a four-game homestand, comes into tonight’s contest on a two-game winning streak. On Tuesday, Rasheed Wallace scored 19 points and pulled down 13 rebounds to power the Pistons past the New Jersey Nets, 89-80, at Continental Airlines Arena.

Richard Hamilton collected 18 points and seven assists in Tuesday’s victory for Detroit, which has won seven of its last nine contests. Ben Wallace contributed 11 points and 11 boards against New Jersey, while Antonio McDyess and Chauncey Billups ended with 11 points apiece for the Pistons.

Rasheed Wallace is averaging 17.5 points and 10.5 rebounds in his last two games.

The Pistons, who have lost four of their last six at home, are 9-6 as the host this season. Detroit will also host the Orlando Magic, Philadelphia 76ers and the Phoenix Suns on the current homestand.