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Washington (31-33) at Detroit (40-23)

Currently: Auburn Hills, MI
Temp: 80° F

Game info: 8:00 pm EST Fri Mar 14, 2003
TV: WBDC, WKBD

Friday, Mar 14, 2003

Preview | Box Score | Recap

AUBURN HILLS, MICHIGAN (TICKER) —The Detroit Pistons try to extend their winning streak to four games and remain unbeaten on a five-game homestand on Friday when they host the Washington Wizards at the Palace of Auburn Hills.

The Pistons have opened their homestand with three wins following a season-high seven game losing streak. They are trying to win four in a row for the first time since a six-game run from January 28-February 13.

Detroit improved the best record in the Eastern Conference with a 111-8 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday.

Chauncey Billups tied a season high with 33 points and rookie Mehmet Okur scored a season-high 22 for the Pistons, who are one game ahead of New Jersey for the top spot in the conference.

Billups is averaging 27.8 points in his last five games.

Detroit has won eight of its last nine home games and is 23-6 at the Palace of Auburn Hills for the second-best home record in the Eastern Conference.

Washington avoided a three-game losing streak with a 106-105 home victory over the Orlando Magic on Tuesday.

Jerry Stackhouse scored 31 points and made 15-of-15 free throws as the Wizards responded to Michael Jordan’s comments about the team’s lack of effort earlier in the week.

Jordan scored 23 points and Larry Hughes added 20 for Washington, which won for just the second time in six games.

The Wizards are one-half game behind Milwaukee for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

Detroit has won five of the last six meetings with Washington, which has lost its last four visits to the Palace of Auburn Hills. The teams have split two games this season, with each team winning on its home floor.

Updated Friday, Mar 14, 2003