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Shorthanded Pistons look to stay atop conference vs. Nets

Mar 30, 2007 - 1:55 PM New Jersey (33-38) at Detroit (45-26) 8:00 pm EDT

AUBURN HILLS, Michigan (Ticker) -- The shorthanded Detroit Pistons need to get healthy. The New Jersey Nets just need some wins.

The Pistons have lost three of their last five games and will look to get back on track against the New Jersey Nets on Friday.

With starters Chris Webber and Richard Hamilton out with the flu, Detroit looked sluggish offensively in Thursday's 83-81 loss at Chicago. But it was a defensive gaffe that cost the Pistons the game.

Carlos Delfino fouled Bulls guard Kirk Hinrich as he was shooting a 3-pointer with just under three seconds remaining. Hinrich nailed 2-of-3 free throws, then Detroit forward Tayshaun Prince fired an airball on the ensuing possession as time expired.

Detroit now is just 2 1/2 games ahead of second-place Cleveland (43-29) and three games in front of Chicago (43-30) for first place in the Central Division and the top spot in the Eastern Conference.

While the Pistons are fighting at the top of the conference, the Nets are battling for one of the final two playoff spots. New Jersey is one-half game ahead of eight-place Orlando (33-39), which is 1 1/2 games ahead of Indiana (31-40) and New York (31-40) for those last two slots.

But the Nets are coming off their most lopsided win of the season, a 118-94 victory over the Pacers. Rookie Josh Boone led six players in double figures with 22 points.

New Jersey will have a chance to control its own destiny with three games against New York and Indiana in a four-day span. But the Nets also have five out of their remaining 10 games against squads in front of them, including a home-and-home series with Washington.

Detroit has won all three meetings with New Jersey this season.