Pistons try to pull stinger from Hornets

Detroit has lost three in a row after a five-game winning streak and suffered a 108-101 setback to the Phoenix Suns on Sunday at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Richard Hamilton scored 31 points for the Pistons, while Flip Murray posted 18 points and seven assists in the win.

Murray is filling in for guard Chauncey Billups, who is sidelined with a calf injury.

Tayshaun Prince had 14 points and six rebounds and Carlos Delfino added 11 points and seven boards off the bench. The Pistons, who are tied with Cleveland atop the Central Division, will try to improve its 9-6 record on the road this season.

The Hornets, meanwhile, are also struggling and have lost two straight, five of six and nine of their last 11 games. On Tuesday they sustained a 97-89 loss to the Golden State Warriors in the opener of a four-game homestand.

Rasual Butler scored a game-high 30 points on 12-of-20 shooting with six rebounds for the Hornets, who are 7-7 as the host this season and 12 1/2 games off the lead in the Southwest Division.

Thursday’s meeting between Detroit and New Orleans/Oklahoma City is the second and final matchup of 2006-07. The Hornets posted a 100-99 win on November 15 this season at The Palace, ending a four-game slide in the series.

Detroit, though, has won 10 of 16 and 11 of the last 19 meetings. It has also won two straight and eight of the last 11 games at the Hornets.