AUBURN HILLS -- The Detroit Pistons have won two of their past three games, but the way they have played in those games has been as important as the outcome.
The Pistons are starting to play with the kind of passion and fight that has been absent for most of this season. Detroit hopes to continue that trend in the final two games before this weekend's NBA All-Star break.
"It would be really good for us to get some momentum going into the break," Pistons coach Michael Curry said. "This is an important stretch for us right now."
The Pistons are among a handful of teams battling for the fourth seed and the home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs.
Detroit plays at Chicago tonight and closes out its pre-break schedule at The Palace of Auburn Hills on Wednesday against the Atlanta Hawks, who have the fourth-best record in the East.
While players recognize the value in having a high seeding, they say it's not something they are overly concerned about.
"It's just a matter of us pulling the ship together and making those playoffs and taking it from there," Detroit's Rasheed Wallace said.
It appears the keys to Detroit's success are starting to come together.
Guards Richard Hamilton and Allen Iverson have flowed much better offensively the past couple weeks when they have been on the floor at the same time. They combined for 15 of Detroit's final 17 points in Sunday's 126-121 overtime win at Milwaukee.
In Detroit's past three games, Hamilton has averaged 25.7 points, and Iverson has contributed 21 points per game.
Hamilton is averaging 17.8 points per game as a reserve this season.
"For the last 10 to 15 games, we've been playing great together," Hamilton said. "We just go out there, try to have fun and try to push the ball. It's a tough cover."
McDyess, Wallace step up
Antonio McDyess and Wallace also have stepped up their play lately.
In Detroit's past three games, McDyess has averaged 9.3 points and 13 rebounds, both better than his season averages. Wallace has seen his numbers improve as well. In the past three games, he has averaged 20.3 points and eight rebounds.
"We just have to become more consistent," McDyess said. "We can't win a couple, lose a couple, then win a couple more and then lose a couple more. We have to start putting together longer winning streaks.
"I know this team, and we're good enough to do it. It's just a matter of us going out there and getting it done."
Detroit in stars competition
Pistons guard Arron Afflalo, Detroit Shock guard Katie Smith along with Shock coach and former Piston Bill Laimbeer will compete in the Haier Shooting Stars competition during All-Star weekend in Phoenix. The competition features one current NBA player, one current WNBA player and one NBA legend on each team.
