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Clippers shoot for consecutive wins vs. Pistons

Mar 18, 2012 - 2:59 PM (Sports Network) - The Los Angeles Clippers aim to win back-to-back games for the first time in more than a month when they wrap up a six-game homestand this afternoon versus the Detroit Pistons at Staples Center.

The Clippers are 2-3 on the residency and have won two of three games since losing four of five. They are coming off last night's 95-91 win over the Houston Rockets, as Chris Paul scored 12 of his 23 points in the fourth quarter and dished out five assists. Blake Griffin and Randy Foye scored 18 and 15 points, respectively, for Los Angeles, which is 2 1/2 games behind the rival Lakers in the Pacific and sits fourth in the West standings.

"The guys gave me great screens on the pick-and-roll and gave me chance to score," said Paul. "But at the end we got stops and that's what won the game for us."

Los Angeles is 14-8 as the host and last won two straight games from Feb. 15-16. It will begin a three-game road trip Tuesday against the Pacers, Thunder and Hornets. Nick Young was acquired by the Clippers from Washington before the trade deadline and it's unknown if he'll make his debut Sunday.

Detroit will continue a five-game road trip tonight and is 1-2 on the trek after Friday's 109-101 loss at Phoenix.

Rodney Stuckey had 23 points and eight assists, Brandon Knight scored 17 points and both Tayshaun Prince and Jason Maxiell added 12 points for the Pistons, who are just 4-17 as the guest and last in the Central Division. Greg Monroe had only eight points and nine boards in defeat.

"I mean coming down the stretch they made plays," said Pistons veteran center Ben Wallace. "They made enough plays to win the game and we didn't. We were in the game and had a chance to win it, but that's all you can ask is for us to fight and give ourselves a chance."

The Pistons will close out the road trip in Denver on Wednesday. Stuckey has been playing well this season and is averaging 25.1 points and 5.5 assists in his last eight games. Maxiell has averages of 11.4 points and 6.6 boards in his previous seven contests.

Detroit and the Clippers are meeting for the first and only time this season and split a home-and-home set a year ago. The Pistons have won 14 of the past 17 matchups between the teams and seven of eight as the guest in this series. Griffin averaged 21 points and 17.5 rebounds in two games against the Pistons last season.