Pistons Struggle to Find Their Identity

Over the last couple of weeks, Pistons' Coach, Michael Curry, has continued to shuffle his lineup around making it difficult for the team to find any semblance of continuity and chemistry.

Having Richard Hamilton come off the bench seemed like the solution, and it has provided the team with some nice bursts of energy and a couple of wins, but there still seems to be something missing.

Whenever a unit seems to be playing well together and the team develops a comfortable need, Curry takes them out.

It's understandable that he wants his entire team to have playing time but when something is working you don't mess with it.

Team egos are supposed to be set aside in the interest of the team and the goal of winning a championship. Unfortunately, while the team continues to search for its identity, they are playing themselves right out of a playoff spot.

Pistons 95 - Raptors 76

Hamilton's first game off the bench led to a win over Toronto despite his offensive struggles.

The new lineup move spurred Jason Maxiell to his best game of the season including a dunkfest in the first. Tayshaun Prince also had a great game and the entire team shot 50 percent from the field and combined for 25-assists.

Mavericks 112 - Pistons 91

This one was all Dallas from the start.

They put up 31-points in the first half on the heel of the Pistons' 13 turnovers. It was a particularly rough game for Rodney Stuckey.

Rockets 108 - Pistons 105

It should have been a win against the visiting Rockets who were playing without Yao Ming.

The Pistons shot 56.4 percent from the field and had 31-assists.

They limited their turnovers, scored more than 100-points and had more points in the paint.

All of the building blocks for a win were in place but they only led twice the entire game.

Hamilton had his best game since returning to the lineup putting up 27-points and Rasheed Wallace contributed 22-points. Unfortunately, Detroit's spotty defense and struggles from the free throw line, led to the loss.

Pistons 98 - Timberwolves 89

The Pistons opened strongly making their first six field goals but once again let their lead slip away before halftime.

Minnesota was up by 11 in the third but Wallace took over the game.

Wallace scored seven consecutive points to the end game with help from Antonio Mcdyess and Hamilton. Both Wallace and Mcdyess ended up with double-doubles.

Celtics 86 - Pistons 78

The third time wasn't the charm for Detroit as they dropped their third loss to Boston this season.

Unlike the first two games, the Pistons did put up a fight.

They started the fourth quarter strong thanks to the team of Hamilton and Maxiell.

Unfortunately, Maxiell and Celtic's Kendrick Perkins got into a struggle under the basket leaving Maxiell with a technical foul and Perkins tossed from the game. The incident took the fire out of the Pistons and the Celtics went on 8-2 run to finish the game.

Cavaliers 90 - Pistons 80

For 36-minutes, the game was all Detroit: they shot better, rebounded better and had fewer turnovers.

They led 66-58 heading into the fourth quarter and then things fell apart.

They missed five of their first six shots and struggled from the free throw line.

Although, they had done a good job of keeping Lebron James contained, the rest of the team went 15-2, while he was on the bench. Once James came back in he went on a run of his own and ended up with 33.

Allen Iverson had a solid 22-point game and Hamilton put up 16.

Pistons 93 - Heat 90

After losing six of their last seven home games, the Pistons needed a win, especially since they are now battling Miami for the last Eastern conference playoff spot.

Detroit led most of the game but once again found it hard to close out the game.

With a under a minute left the game was tied and Stuckey ended up putting up a awkward shot that went in for the win.

Five Pistons were in double figures including Stuckey who finished with 18-points, six rebounds and six assists.