Detroit Pistons Team Report - March 22

(Basketball News) - The Pistons will try to ruin Brendan Malone’s debut as the Cleveland Cavaliers’ head coach tonight, when the teams battle at Gund Arena.

Detroit has been cruising along, winning five straight, six of seven, 14 of 18 and 19 of its last 24 games overall. The Pistons’ recent success continued on Sunday, as they registered a 110-101 victory over the San Antonio Spurs at the Palace of Auburn Hills.

Chauncey Billups scored 25 points and handed out six assists to pace Detroit to the victory. Billups, who was named Eastern Conference player of the week on Monday, averaged 25.5 points and 6.3 assists, and shot 58 percent in the contest.

Tayshaun Prince collected 22 points and eight rebounds for the Pistons, who have won 12 straight at home. Rasheed Wallace netted 15 points and Carlos Arroyo added 13 for Detroit.

The Pistons’ Richard Hamilton had 11 points in 28 minutes. However, he suffered an ankle injury midway through the third quarter and played sparingly the rest of the way. Hamilton is listed as doubtful for tonight’s contest.

Detroit improved to 4-0 since head coach Larry Brown left the team to undergo more surgery related to the hip procedure he endured earlier in the season. Gar Heard is currently coaching the Pistons.

Detroit, which is beginning a two-game road trip tonight, is 17-16 in foreign buildings this season. The Pistons have won five of their last nine road games.

The Pistons will finish up their two-game road swing in Philadelphia on Wednesday evening. Detroit will then host Indiana (Friday) and Boston (Saturday) to end its week.