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Pistons take step back from NBA elite, face Bobcats

Jan 12, 2008 - 3:42 PM Detroit (27-9) at Charlotte (13-22) 7:00 pm EST

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina (Ticker) - After concluding a three-game stretch against teams among the NBA elite, the Detroit Pistons should find their upcoming stretch of games more to their liking.

The Pistons continue their four-game road trip on Saturday when they meet the Charlotte Bobcats.

Detroit halted its two-game slide with an impressive 90-80 road win against the San Antonio Spurs on Thursday. With earlier losses to the Boston Celtics and Dallas Mavericks, it was the third game in a row the Pistons played an opponent that has a winning percentage of .676 or better.

However, over its next five games, Detroit faces just one team with a winning record (Toronto).

Charlotte failed in its attempt to win three straight games for the first time this season with a 113-106 double overtime setback on Friday, but has played inspired basketball lately.

The Bobcats ended New Jersey's five-game winning streak on Tuesday and followed that with a 95-83 victory in Boston the next night, handing the Celtics their worst loss of the season.

Charlotte may be without its floor general on Saturday though, as Raymond Felton, who had 12 points and 11 assists on Friday, left in the second overtime with a sprained right ankle.