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Billups to sit out again when Pistons visit 76ers

Jan 9, 2007 - 3:09 PM Detroit (19-12) at Philadelphia (9-24) 7:00 pm EST

PHILADELPHIA (Ticker) -- After seeing the Detroit Pistons lose four of their last five, coach Flip Saunders is calling for more intensity and focus.

Saunders tries to guide the Pistons out of their recent slump Tuesday in their second encounter of the season against the Philadelphia 76ers.

Prior to Monday's practice, Saunders admonished his squad, saying his players owe it to the fans to make each game the most important of the season. Starting small forward Tayshaun Prince also said the team has some chemistry issues to be addressed in order to reach its full potential.

Richard Hamilton scored 27 points on just 7-of-20 shots and Nazr Mohammed added 15 points for Detroit, which shot less than 35 percent (31-of-89) in Saturday's 106-89 loss to the Chicago Bulls.

Pistons star point guard Chauncey Billups is expected to miss his fourth consecutive game with a strained right calf. He leads the Pistons in assists (8.1) and is second in scoring (18.0).

Philadelphia has dropped three of four and is just 4-7 at home this season. The 76ers and the Charlotte Bobcats are the only teams in the Eastern Conference with less than 10 wins.

Kyle Korver scored 25 points and Andre Iguodala added 23 for Philadelphia in Friday's 104-102 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Detroit has won nine of the 10 matchups against Philadelphia, including a 97-87 triumph on November 21. Prince scored 25 points and Billups added 11 assists in that game for the Pistons.