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Bobcats close out trek against Pistons

Feb 2, 2011 - 4:41 PM (Sports Network) - The Charlotte Bobcats hope to finish a six-game road trip on a positive note Wednesday when they visit the Detroit Pistons at The Palace of Auburn Hills.

After winning their first three stops on the trip, the Bobcats have dropped the past two, including Monday's 83-78 setback against a Deron Williams-less Utah Jazz team.

Stephen Jackson finished with 24 points and eight rebounds for the Bobcats, while D.J. Augustin tallied 20 points, eight boards and seven assists.

"Not being ready to play. We gotta come out and be ready to play," Jackson said. "This team was without its All-Star and this is a game we should have had but we didn't come with the effort. We didn't come with the focus and when you're going against a team that's without their star and that's been struggling, that's the most dangerous teams and you gotta have more energy than them."

The Pistons, meanwhile, dropped their third consecutive game in New York on Sunday when Amare Stoudemire posted 33 points as the Knicks dominated Detroit, 124-106.

Ben Gordon connected for a game-best 35 points on 12-of-21 from the field -- including 7-of-11 from long distance -- for the Pistons, who have lost three in a row and five of seven.

Tayshaun Price poured in 16 points and Greg Monroe contributed 15 points and a game-high 17 boards in defeat.

"It's our defense, this is obviously a great scoring team, but I feel like they got way too many uncontested layups, shots, and we just didn't show up defensively. That's the frustrating part," Gordon said.

The Bobcats have won three of their four games with Detroit but have lost three straight and five of six at The Palace.