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Pistons try to overcome recent struggles vs. Jazz

Dec 19, 2008 - 2:20 PM Utah (16-11) at Detroit (14-9), 8:00pm EST

AUBURN HILLS, Michigan (Ticker) -- A perennial contender for years, the Detroit Pistons have had trouble beating the Utah Jazz - even on their home floor at The Palace.

The Pistons will try to snap out of their recent funk against the Jazz on Friday night as they try to extend their winning streak to four games.

Detroit hasn't beaten Utah in nearly four years, falling three straight times at home and six in a row overall. The last victory came on March 13, 2005, in an ugly 64-62 decision.

These Pistons, rebuilt by the early-season trade that brought over Allen Iverson and sent Chauncey Billups to Denver, have been difficult to peg so far. They have defeated the likes of the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers, yet lost to the lowly Minnesota Timberwolves and Washington Wizards.

Yet Detroit now won three straight, and Iverson finally has begun to look comfortable with his new teammates and head coach Michael Curry's offense.

One major change the team has made is moving Iverson to the off-guard position while inserting Rodney Stuckey into the starting lineup to run the point. The Pistons are 3-0 since making the switch.

Iverson scored 28 points and Stuckey collected 18 and 11 assists Wednesday as the Pistons defeated Washington, 88-74.

As for the Jazz, they are looking to even up their road record after Wednesday's 103-92 victory over New Jersey, during which they overcame a seven-point first quarter.

Utah may still be without All-Star forward Carlos Boozer, who has missed the last 15 games with nagging quad and knee injuries. Last season at Detroit, he went 17-of-20 from the field and put up 36 points and 11 boards en route to a 103-93 Utah win.