Pistons ready to pump in Motor City

Detroit, winners of five of its last seven games, will play six of the next seven contests at The Palace of Auburn Hills where it owns a 12-9 record this season. The Pistons need some home cooking because Chicago and Cleveland are both a game behind in the Central standings.

Luckily for the Pistons forward Chris Webber has turned out to be a solid acquisition. The squad is 5-3 since signing Webber on January 16, and the veteran is averaging 13.1 points and 7.4 rebounds in seven games as a starter. C-Webb played 18 games in Philadelphia, averaging 11.0 points per game, and vehemently expressed his displeasure playing in the City of Brotherly Love.

Webber noted that he was not happy as a Sixer and is thrilled to be smiling again since he is back with his hometown squad. Webber is averaging 11.8 points, 7.1 rebounds and 3.4 assists in eight games overall as a Piston.

Pistons guard Richard Hamilton has been living up to his nickname "Rip", and was named an All-Star for a second straight season. Hamilton, who posted 23.3 points per game in January, has reached the 20-point mark in 16 of his last 19 games and is averaging a career-high 22.7 points this season.

Hamilton eclipsed the 10,000-point mark for his career last month, and will be paired with teammate Chauncey Billups in the upcoming All-Star game to be played February 18 in Las Vegas. Billups is also headed to the mid-season gala for the second consecutive season. The duo has led the Pistons in scoring the last four seasons.

Meanwhile, Pistons head coach Flip Saunders became the 26th head coach in NBA history to reach the 500-win mark. Saunders accomplished the feat when his boys defeated the Indiana Pacers, 95-87, on January 28 at The Palace.

Detroit will welcome the Milwaukee Bucks to town on Friday night before hitting the road to Cleveland. After visiting LeBron James and the Cavaliers, the Pistons will open a five-game homestand versus the Celtics, Lakers, Raptors, Clippers and Spurs.