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Pistons host Pacers after difficult triple-overtime loss

Dec 29, 2006 - 2:55 PM Indiana (16-14) at Detroit (18-9) 8:00 pm EST

AUBURN HILLS, Michigan (Ticker) -- After one of their more perplexing losses in recent memory, the Detroit Pistons will be glad to return home.

Coming off a career-high 51 points in his last outing, Richard Hamilton tries to lead the Pistons to their sixth victory in seven games when they host the Indiana Pacers on Friday.

Hamilton set career bests in baskets (19), attempts (37) and minutes (55), and became the sixth player in franchise history to reach the 50-point plateau for the Pistons in Wednesday's 151-145 triple-overtime loss to the New York Knicks.

In their highest scoring game since a 148-129 win over the Denver Nuggets on December 19, 1984, the Pistons committed 40 fouls, which enabled the Knicks to take 63 free throws. Detroit also allowed New York to shoot 56 percent (49-of-87) from the floor.

Nazr Mohammed and Rasheed Wallace fouled out as the Pistons five-game winning streak ended.

Although they have won three of their last four outings, the Pacers may have to play without star forward Jermaine O'Neal, who is listed as questionable with flu-like symptoms. He averages 18.7 points, 10.2 rebounds and a league-leading 3.0 blocks.

Al Harrington scored 23 points and grabbed 14 rebounds and Jamaal Tinsley added 17 points for Indiana, which shot just 35 percent (29-of-83) in Tuesday's 81-76 victory over the Houston Rockets.

O'Neal scored 26 points and grabbed 14 rebounds to lead Indiana to a 101-90 triumph over Detroit in their most recent encounter December 13.