OGT: Kings @ Pistons (1/2/09, 8:00 PM)

[Timone]

Even short-handed, the Detroit Pistons can a find a way to win.

The surging Pistons may need to again overcome some injuries to key contributors while trying for a sixth straight victory Friday night when they host the Sacramento Kings, who finally have their own star back on the court.

Detroit (19-11) is expected to again be without star guard Richard Hamilton for this contest due to a groin injury, while the statuses of leading rebounder Rasheed Wallace (foot) and Antonio McDyess (ribs) remain uncertain as the Pistons look to extend their season-high winning streak.

Without Hamilton - averaging 17.2 points per game - for a third straight game, McDyess, and Wallace for all but a quarter, the Pistons used some solid defense plus 19 points from Allen Iverson and 16 from Tayshaun Prince to beat New Jersey 83-75 at home Wednesday.

"When any team in the league loses three of their top six guys, things are going to change for them,'' Pistons coach Michael Curry said. "Luckily, a lot of other guys stepped up."

Arron Affalo added 10 points off the bench, while fellow reserves Jason Maxiell and Kwame Brown combined for 15 rebounds and helped hold the Nets to 37.3 percent shooting.

"No one was going to come in and be Sheed, Rip or Dice, but we have guys who will come off the bench and help us in their own way,'' said Iverson, who's averaging 18.0 points and 5.5 assists in 26 games with Detroit this season and 26.9 and 8.0 assists in 26 career contests against Sacramento.

Even if the Pistons have to be without starters Hamilton, Wallace (12.3 ppg, 7.4 rpg), and key backup McDyess, they have played well defensively of late to help compensate for being short-handed. Detroit is holding its opponents to 40.1 shooting and 83.8 points during its five-game winning streak.

The Pistons could have a bigger challenge against Sacramento compared to the teams' last meeting when Iverson scored 30 and Prince 26 in a 100-92 road win over the Kings on Nov. 11.

Sacramento played without star guard Kevin Martin in that contest, but will have him in the lineup for this one.

Martin scored 20 points, but shot just 5-for-14 during a 92-90 home win over the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday in his first game since missing 10 in a row with a left ankle injury.

The victory snapped a six-game losing streak for the Kings (8-24), who now look to avoid a ninth straight loss away from home.

"It was good to be back out with the guys. Everyone needed a win," said Martin, who averaged a career-high 23.7 points last season, but has been limited to 10 games this season due to the injury. "It's tough to sit out, you don't feel part of the team, whether you are on a 20-game winning streak or a 20-game losing streak. You want to be out there."

Martin is averaging 20.7 points in limited time this season and scored 24 on 8-for-14 shooting in the Kings' 100-93 win over the Pistons on Jan. 18 in their last visit to the Detroit area.

The Pistons have won five of the last eight meetings between the teams.

[Tahoe]

My buddy told me this morning that the Kings beat the Clips the other night. Other than that, not too much to worry about in this one.

[Glenn]

So it's possible that will only dress 9 guys.

No Rip, Dice, Sheed, The Sandman, Acker.

Although I bet Dice will dress and play if he needs to.

[Timone]

Kings 87-105

[Tahoe]

I really wanted to vote for the 'period'.

[Glenn]

I vant to play, and I probably vill.

[Glenn]

should also get some sweet Bynum action, I would think.

[Glenn]

So who are you pulling for, Tahoe?

Are you one of them or one of "us"?

[Tahoe]

^ now that stings a lil bit.

= and the Pistons

[DrRay11]

So it's possible that will only dress 9 guys.

No Rip, Dice, Sheed, The Sandman, Acker.

Although I bet Dice will dress and play if he needs to.

Where is Sandman? Is he sleeping in?

Seriously though, if we won't even dress him in these situations why don't we send him to the NBDL? Is he hurt?