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Hamilton struggling to find rhythm for slumping Pistons

Jan 16, 2009 - 11:36 AM Detroit (22-15) at Oklahoma City (7-33) 8:00 p.m. EST

OKLAHOMA CITY (Ticker) -- The Detroit Pistons hope two games is enough for Richard Hamilton to knock off the rust.

The Pistons look to avoid their fourth straight loss on Friday when they host the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Hamilton returned to action on Tuesday after missing eight games with a left groin strain and coach Michael Curry was not hesitant about using the guard, inserting him into the starting lineup and playing him for 35 minutes.

The 30-year-old struggled with his shot in the first half, making only 2-of-8 from the floor. He finished 4-of-12 with 10 points and five rebounds as Detroit endured an 80-78 setback to the Charlotte Bobcats when Raymond Felton nailed a jumper from 19 feet with less than a second left to play.

Hamilton failed to find his stroke again on Wednesday, recording nine points on 4-of-13 shooting in just under 30 minutes during a 110-106 overtime loss to the Indiana Pacers.

The loss was the Pistons' fourth in five games overall following a season high, seven-game win streak.

While earning a win against the Thunder seemed like a simple task for most of the season, Oklahoma City has improved recently, moving to a respectable 4-4 over its last eight games with a shocking 114-93 victory over the Utah Jazz on Wednesday.

Kevin Durant paced six players in double figures with 23 points, leading the Thunder to their first win against a team with a winning record.