Pistons go for fourth win in a row versus Celtics

The home team has won 11 of 17 and 16 of the last 23 contests in this series. Boston has lost four straight and seven of its last eight at Detroit.

Detroit plays the finale of a brief two-game homestand. Richard Hamilton ended with 19 points to lead a balanced scoring attack as the Pistons defeated the Charlotte Bobcats, 114-91, on Saturday at The Palace.

Maurice Evans tallied a career-high 18 points in the win over the Bobcats for Detroit, which had seven players score in double figures. Tayshaun Prince and Antonio McDyess each added 16 points and Chauncey Billups had 13 for the Pistons, who have won three in a row 14 of their last 16 games overall.

Rasheed Wallace recorded 12 points and Ben Wallace had 10 points, 13 boards and five blocks on Saturday.

The Pistons are an impressive 15-2 as the host this season. After tonight’s game, they hit the road for a pair of games against the Atlanta Hawks and New York Knicks.

Boston attempts to get back on the winning track as it concludes a three-game road trip. On Saturday, Chris Webber had 31 points, 13 rebounds and came up with a huge steal in the closing seconds of triple-overtime, as the Philadelphia 76ers outlasted the Celtics, 125-124, at the Wachovia Center.

Ricky Davis poured in 33 points and dished out nine assists for Boston, which has lost four of its last five games overall. Mark Blount added 27 points and 12 boards, but turned the ball over seven times.

The Celtics are 4-14 on the road this season. They have lost three of their last four as the visitor.