Detroit Pistons Team Report - January 20

(Basketball News) - The top two teams in the Central Division and Eastern Conference will lock horns tonight, as the division-leading Indiana Pacers welcome the sizzling Detroit Pistons to Conseco Fieldhouse.

Indiana has already defeated the Pistons twice this season. The Pacers took home an 89-87 win on October 29, 2003 at The Palace of Auburn Hills, and also defeated Detroit, 80-75, on December 19, 2003 in front of their home crowd.

The Pistons, who trail the Pacers by 2 1/2 games in the Central Division, come into tonight’s contest fresh off collecting their 13th straight win, which tied a franchise record. Chauncey Billups scored 14 of his 18 points in the fourth quarter, as Detroit defeated the San Antonio Spurs, 85-77, on Monday at The Palace.

Mehmet Okur netted 15 points and Chucky Atkins added 14 in the win for Detroit, which closed the game with a 12-0 spurt. Richard Hamilton chipped in 13 points and six assists and Ben Wallace pulled down 16 rebounds for the Pistons, who halted a six-game losing streak versus the Spurs.

Detroit, which has won four straight on the road, is 11-8 as the visitor this season.

Billups has scored in double digits in six straight and 12 of the last 14 contests.