Coach Michael Curry Makes Change and Pistons' Losing Streak Ends

After the numerous injuries that the Pistons have had to contend with lately, it was nice to see the team begin to find a rhythm with both Rasheed Wallace and Richard Hamilton sidelined.

Detroit had a nice seven-game winning streak going with Amir Johnson in the starting lineup and Wallace stepped back into things with no problems. Unfortunately, Hamilton’s return threw the team into chaos. The small ball lineup led to five losses which led to Curry’s announcement today that Richard Hamilton will now be coming off of the bench.

Trail Blazers 84-Pistons 83

The Pistons took an early double-digit lead and kept it until the middle of the fourth quarter. Unfortunately, some shooting issues allowed Portland back in the game. It came down to a final Allen Iverson possession which clanked off the basket ending the Pistons’ seven-game winning streak.

Pistons 93-Denver 90

In the Pistons’ most important and emotional game of the season thus far, they managed to win one over former teammate Chauncey Billups’ Denver Nuggets.

The game was an exciting one, with both teams playing their hearts out.

Billups and the Nuggets took an early first-half lead and Billups put up 20 but Iverson scored 20 in the second, keeping his team in the thick of things. The game came down to a tying Billups three-pointer attempt that didn’t make it in.

The win broke Denver’s five-game winning streak and was done without Hamilton, Wallace, and Stuckey, who was out with back troubles.

Jazz 99-Pistons 82

It was yet another loss in Utah for the Pistons. Detroit has dropped seven straight to the Jazz and haven’t won since November 2002.

It was all Utah from start to finish. The Jazz jumped out with a 14-2 lead, but the Pistons bench put up a good fight. Arron Affalo contributed nine points and was strong defensively.

Unfortunately, the Pistons had a hard time holding onto the ball. The team was obviously tired after having been on the road for seven straight games.

Bobcats 80-Pistons 78

Rip Hamilton finally made his return after missing eight games, but the Pistons could not pull the win out.

Detroit led the entire second half but the Bobcats scored the game’s last nine points. Stuckey and Iverson combined for 31, but the Pistons' lackluster defense and poor handling gave the game away.

Pacers 110-Pistons 106

This was another game that came down to the Pistons' final possession. They had a late lead but missed their last seven shots of regulation. Indiana’s Danny Granger sent the game into overtime.

The Pacers never trailed in OT, as Wallace missed two three-pointers. Stuckey put up 30 but had no points in OT.

The loss broke the Pistons’ eight-game winning streak over the Pacers and broke their season streak of holding opponents below 100 points.

Thunder 89-Pistons 79

In an embarrassing loss to the league’s last place Oklahoma Thunder, the Pistons allowed their lead to unravel in the fourth. The Thunder scored 13 unanswered points at the beginning of the fourth, with the Pistons’ defense and scoring lacking.

Continuing the Pistons' bad luck this season, Tayshaun Prince had to leave the game with a groin injury.

Hornets 91-Pistons 85

“We’ve just got to get this monkey off our back—that’s it!” said Allen Iverson after the loss.

Hamilton and Jason Maxiell finally had strong games but late foul trouble put a hurt on the Pistons’ lead. Iverson had to sit out the third quarter after banging his knee on the floor at the beginning of the second half.

Pistons 87-Grizzlies 79

Before the game in Memphis Monday night, Coach Curry said that he was looking at changing up his lineup. Since Hamilton’s return, fans have been calling for him to come off the bench as a sixth-man.

It has been obvious that the small ball starting lineup was not working. Despite the Pistons' win over the Grizzlies, Curry announced today that Hamilton will be coming off the bench permanently.

Iverson scored 12 points in the first quarter and Hamilton put up his own 12 points in the second quarter with the second unit. The game was a preview of what he may be able to do coming off the bench.