Pistons closing in on history

It’s not quite the roll New Jersey is currently on (13 games), but a five- game winning streak has the Pistons in the driver’s seat for home-court advantage in the Eastern Conference.

Seeded No. 1 in the conference, the Central Division-champion Pistons notched their 60th victory of the season with a 101-93 win over the New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets on Tuesday at the Palace of Auburn Hills.

Antonio McDyess had 26 points and 14 rebounds, while Chauncey Billups compiled 22 points and 11 assists for Detroit, which has won nine of its last 10 games. The Pistons are only three wins shy of tying the franchise mark of 63 wins set during the 1988-89 squad (63-19).

Dale Davis made his first start of the season on Tuesday in place of forward Rasheed Wallace, who was serving an automatic one-game suspension for receiving his 16th technical foul of the season during a victory over Phoenix.

It was the first time all season Detroit’s customary starting five of Chauncey Billups, Richard Hamilton, Tayshaun Prince, Rasheed and Ben Wallace did not open the game together.

Wallace is scheduled to return for Thursday’s game at Miami.

The Pistons just went 3-0 on their brief homestand and will hit the road for a pair of games. Detroit, which will visit Orlando on Friday, has won three straight on the road and is 26-11 away from the Palace of Auburn Hills this season.

Thursday’s game between Detroit and Miami is the fourth and final meeting of the season. The Pistons own a 2-1 lead in the season series and have won nine of the last 11 matchups against Miami.

Detroit has won five of its last seven in South Beach.