Pistons hope to continue winning ways against Hawks

Last Tuesday, Chauncey Billups notched 19 points and 10 assists as Detroit improved to 42-9 with an 85-71 win over New Jersey. Richard Hamilton scored 18 points for the Pistons, who have won three of their last four games.

Rasheed Wallace, who grabbed 11 rebounds, and Tayshaun Prince both scored 13 points, while Ben Wallace added 10 points and 13 boards.

Thanks to their impressive first half, the Pistons placed four players on the Eastern Conference All-Star squad. Head Coach Flip Saunders guided the East and put Billups, Hamilton, Rasheed Wallace and Ben Wallace on the court together and the group’s stifling defense was a big part of the East’s 122-120 win on Sunday.

Detroit, which will close its homestand on Thursday against Indiana, is an unbelievable 23-2 in its arena this season.

Atlanta, meanwhile, comes in on a rare winning note as well after Josh Smith tied career-bests with 21 points and 15 rebounds and the Hawks finally got a road victory over a Western Conference team after downing the Los Angeles Lakers 114-110 on Wednesday at the Staples Center.

The Hawks also received huge contributions from Joe Johnson and Josh Childress to break a 23-game road losing streak against the West, dating back to November 12, 2004.

Childress added 21 points off the bench while Johnson compiled 20 points and a personal-best 15 assists for the Hawks, who won for just the fifth time away from home (5-20) this season.

Atlanta will host Seattle on Wednesday.

The Hawks shocked the Pistons earlier in the season and have split two meetings. However, Detroit has won five of seven, 10 of 13 and 13 of the past 17 matchups. Atlanta is also just 2-11 in its last 13 visits to the Motor City.