Red-hot Pistons welcome Grizzlies to The Palace

(Basketball News) - The Detroit Pistons target their season-high 10th consecutive victory this evening when they play the middle contest of a three- game homestand against the Memphis Grizzlies at The Palace of Auburn Hills.

On Wednesday, Chauncey Billups buried two big shots in overtime to lead the Pistons over the Milwaukee Bucks, 106-102.

Billups had 11 of his 23 points in OT and dished out 15 assists for the 35-5 Pistons, who are in the midst of their second nine-game winning streak of the season.

Richard Hamilton poured in 35 points and Rasheed Wallace added 20 in the victory, as the Pistons are off to the fourth-best 40-game record in league history. The Chicago Bulls (1995-96), Philadelphia 76ers (1966-67) and Los Angeles Lakers (1971-72) all started 37-3. No team has started 36-4, and the Bulls went 35-5 in both 1991-92 and 1996-97.

Detroit, which will close this stand against the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday, is an amazing 18-2 in its arena this season.

Memphis, meanwhile, comes in on a winning note after Pau Gasol had 30 points, eight rebounds and six assists to lead the Grizzlies to a 107-87 pounding of the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday at the FedEx Forum.

Eddie Jones chipped in 22 points, including 10 straight in the fourth stanza, and Mike Miller chipped in 18 points and seven rebounds for Memphis, which has won two of their last three games after a four-game losing streak.

The Grizzlies, who will start a three-game homestand after tonight’s affair, are 11-10 away from home this season.

Detroit defeated Memphis earlier in the season and has won 10 of the last 13 overall meetings. The Grizzlies have also lost five of six in the Motor City, where they are just 2-7 all-time.