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Billups, Pistons aim for fifth straight win

Dec 26, 2006 - 3:59 PM New Jersey (11-16) at Detroit (17-8) 7:30 pm EST

AUBURN HILLS, Michigan (Ticker) -- The surging Detroit Pistons began their streak with the New Jersey Nets and hope to extend it against them also.

Chauncey Billups and the Pistons are looking to push their winning streak to five games in a row as they host Vince Carter and the Nets on Tuesday.

In the first matchup on December 16, Billups and fellow guard Richard Hamilton combined for 53 points as Detroit posted a 90-82 triumph at Continental Airlines Arena.

Nazr Mohammed had season highs of 19 points and 10 rebounds to lead six Pistons in double figures in Saturday's easy 108-81 victory over the Atlanta Hawks.

With Nets center Nenad Krstic out for the remainder of the season with a torn ACL, Detroit should be able to control the paint with its steadily improving frontcourt.

Reserve forward Jason Maxiell is averaging close to 13 points and six rebounds in his last four contests for the Pistons, who are 8-3 at home.

"(Maxiell's) going to play," Pistons coach Flip Saunders said. "He's earned that just from how he has played. He's a high energy guy."

Jason Kidd had 21 points and 11 assists and Carter and Richard Jefferson scored 18 as New Jersey dropped its second straight game with a 115-104 loss to Milwaukee on Saturday.