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Hornets and Pistons clash at The Palace

Dec 19, 2010 - 3:50 PM (Sports Network) - The New Orleans Hornets kick off a brief two-game road trip on the outskirts of the Motor City tonight when they take on the lowly Detroit Pistons at The Palace of Auburn Hills.

The Hornets won their second straight game on Friday when David West scored a game-high 23 points, as New Orleans easily handled the Utah Jazz, 100-71, in the Big Easy.

Marcus Thornton contributed 19 off the bench, and Chris Paul finished with 11 points and 10 assists for the Hornets, who have won the two straight since dropping three in a row.

Trevor Ariza added 17 points and seven boards, and Jarrett Jack recorded 10 points for the victors, who absolutely killed Utah on the boards, 53-24.

"If you look across the board we had guards with seven rebounds, eight rebounds," stated Hornets head coach Monty Williams. "It's all about effort with the Jazz. I think we played hard for about 45 minutes tonight and down the stretch we finished it."

The Pistons, meanwhile, continue to struggle and handed the LA Clippers this first road win of the season on Friday. Blake Griffin put together his 14th consecutive double-double in that one with 24 points and 17 rebounds, as the Clippers downed Detroit, 109-88.

Charlie Villanueva came off the bench to score 18 points and grab nine rebounds, while Ben Gordon supplied 15 points for the Pistons, who have lost five of their last six games overall.

"We had looks but our energy level was not there," Detroit head coach John Kuester said. "So, it is disappointing, very disappointing. I don't care who you're playing, and I want to give the Clippers credit. They played harder and better and smarter. We didn't do those things."

New Orleans has won four of its past five games with the Pistons, including a 93-74 blowout win in the Big Easy earlier this month.