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Surging Pistons host lowly Bobcats

Nov 24, 2006 - 4:03 PM Charlotte (3-8) at Detroit (7-5) 8:00 pm EST

AUBURN HILLS, Michigan (Ticker) - The Detroit Pistons finally are starting to look like a championship-caliber squad.

Riding a four-game winning streak, the Pistons host the lowly Charlotte Bobcats on Friday.

After losing defensive stalwart Ben Wallace to free agency in the offseason, the Pistons lost five of their first eight games. But they have turned it on since.

On Wednesday, Chauncey Billups, Rasheed Wallace and Tayshaun Prince recorded double-doubles as Detroit posted a 103-98 victory over the slumping Atlanta Hawks.

The Pistons have held each opponent under 100 points during their streak.

Although the Bobcats have struggled this season, they are coming off a satisfying home win. Rookie Adam Morrison scored 26 points, including a pair of key baskets in the fourth quarter, as Charlotte snapped the Boston Celtics' three-game winning streak with a 92-83 victory Wednesday.

Emeka Okafor had 11 points, 13 rebounds and two blocks for the Bobcats, who had won just once in their last seven games but avenged a 110-108 overtime loss at the buzzer at Boston on November 8.

Charlotte has not beaten the Pistons since April 20, 2005.