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Pistons aim for sixth straight win

Feb 12, 2007 - 2:46 PM LA Clippers (25-26) at Detroit (31-18) 7:30 pm EST

AUBURN HILLS, Michigan (Ticker) -- The Detroit Pistons are starting to take control of the Eastern Conference.

Riding a six-game winning streak, the Pistons host the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday.

After losing center Ben Wallace in the offseason, Detroit was supposed to take a step back this season. However, on the strength of their current winning streak, the Pistons hold a three-game lead over Southeast Division-leading Washington for the best record in the conference.

Detroit won its sixth straight on Saturday, a 98-92 triumph over surging Toronto. Rasheed Wallace scored 18 of his season-high 28 points in the second half. He connected on 12-of-22 shots - including 3-of-7 from 3-point range. The 6-11 forward also had seven rebounds and two blocks.

The Clippers will complete a seven-game road trip and they played like a tired team in Sunday's 94-80 loss at Indiana, shooting just 29 percent (10-of-35) from the field in the first half and 37 percent (28-of-76) overall.

Cuttino Mobley led Los Angeles with 23 points. But teammates Sam Cassell, Shaun Livingston and Tim Thomas combined to make just 8-of-30 shots. Elton Brand was held to 14 points, seven below his season average.

The Clippers are 2-4 on the trip.