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Pistons welcome Denver to The Palace

Jan 26, 2011 - 4:46 PM (Sports Network) - The Detroit Pistons will shoot for their 15th consecutive home win over the Denver Nuggets when the two teams tangle at The Palace of Auburn Hills on Wednesday.

Denver hasn't won at Detroit since March 10, 1995.

The Pistons earned their second straight win in Orlando on Monday when the trio of Tayshaun Prince, Tracy McGrady and Austin Daye each scored 20 points as Detroit took an early lead and held on late, topping the Magic, 103-96, at Amway Center.

Rodney Stuckey and Ben Gordon both contributed 16 points to round out the Pistons scoring, and Ben Wallace grabbed a team-high 11 rebounds in a reserve role. The resurgent Pistons have now won five of their last seven overall since they inserted McGrady into the starting lineup at point guard.

"It was a total team effort," Pistons coach John Kuester said. "The starters did a great job, and the guys that came off of the bench did a phenomenal job."

The Nuggets, meanwhile, won their second straight when they took the opener of a five-game road trip in the nation's capital on Tuesday. Carmelo Anthony finished with 23 points and seven rebounds in that one as Denver halted a three-game skid away from the Rockies by topping the Washington Wizards, 120-109, at Verizon Center.

Nene and Al Harrington both chipped in 21 points while Arron Afflalo added 18 points for Denver, which will also visit Cleveland, Philadelphia and New Jersey on its trek. Ty Lawson and Chauncey Billups finished with 17 and 15 points, respectively.

"Tonight was a big game for us," Anthony said. "We have been losing games but I don't think we are far from winning games on the road. It's a big step for us to come in here and win this game tonight."

High-scoring forward J.R. Smith was benched against the Wizards after showing up late for the team's shootaround but should return tonight.