Pacers, Pistons renew rivalry

This is the first of four meetings between the clubs this season.

Detroit has won three of its last four at Indiana. The Pistons have won three straight and five of the last seven contests in this series.

The Pistons have won two in a row and play the third of a four-game road trip. Chauncey Billups scored 31 points to lead Detroit over the Orlando Magic 87-83, on Friday at TD Waterhouse Centre.

Richard Hamilton added 14 points and 10 rebounds in the win over the Magic for Detroit, which has won 10 of its last 12 games overall. Ronald Murray and Rasheed Wallace both had 13 points for the Pistons, who opened their current swing with a 92-82 win over the Dallas Mavericks last Thursday at American Airlines Center.

Detroit is 7-4 on the road this season. The Pistons are scheduled to visit Vince Carter and the New Jersey Nets on Saturday at Continental Airlines Arena.

Indiana tries to halt a two-game losing streak as it opens a three-game homestand. On Monday, Ben Gordon scored 23 points and was one of seven Bulls players to post double-digit points as Chicago toppled the short-handed Pacers, 106-91, at the United Center.

Al Harrington and Marquis Daniels were both sidelined against Chicago because of a stomach ailment. Jermaine O’Neal sat out his third straight game with a sore left hamstring, while guard Stephen Jackson served a one-game suspension for conduct detrimental to the team during Saturday’s 107-75 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Jamaal Tinsley had 21 points and six assists in the loss to the Bulls for Indiana. Danny Granger netted 21, while Sarunas Jasikevicius posted 15 points and rookie Shawne Williams netted 13 for the Pacers, who have dropped five of their last seven games overall.

Daniels, Harrington and O’Neal are all questionable for tonight’s contest.

The Pacers are 6-2 at home this season. They will host the Knicks on Friday and Utah on Sunday.