In Hamilton's first season with Detroit , the Pistons lost seven in a row. The following year, Detroit dropped six consecutive games under new coach Larry Brown.

The Pistons snapped out of those losing skids in different ways, but each solution had one thing in common.

"We stayed positive and didn't start pointing fingers," Hamilton said. "Hopefully, we can turn it around here the same way."

Allen Iverson said character also plays a role in getting the team back on track.

"This is the time you find out what type of team you are," he said.

"It's nobody's fault but all of us. It's everybody's fault. All of us are to blame. From the coaching staff to the players, everybody needs to take responsibility."

Fans have directed much of their frustration with the team's five-game losing streak toward first-year coach Michael Curry and his decision to start three guards.

Curry said he is evaluating the lineup on a day-to-day basis but appears to be inching closer toward making a change.

"I think we're good enough, whichever way we decide to play," Curry said before Saturday's 91-85 loss to New Orleans.

"But we haven't played defensively and rebounded the ball as well as I like with that (small) group. We're really looking at (Saturday night) and Monday to see how our performance is."

Curry understands the expectation level for Detroit is to get to the NBA Finals each season.

But he is a realist, too, which is why since training camp, he repeatedly reminds the media this group is not the same team that reeled off six consecutive appearances in the Eastern Conference finals.

Only Hamilton and Tayshaun Prince have been with Detroit since the 2002-03 season.

"The past teams, the reason they were able to take care of games is because they went through stretches like this," Curry said.

"It's hard when you see some of the same faces and it's hard when you've been good so long without having any serious lapses, to kind of see the change going on."

But Curry sees progress, even if the Pistons have not shown it lately.

"I see the guys are trying to do the right thing, trying to get in the right positions," Curry said.

"I'm confident they will get there."

Medical update

Prince (groin) and Iverson (left knee) are probable to play tonight.

Prince, who leads all active NBA players in consecutive starts (372), suffered his injury Friday at Oklahoma City after getting kneed on a third-quarter dunk.

Iverson's injury occurred Saturday night when he took a hard spill after getting his shot blocked by New Orleans' Rasual Butler.

Hamilton's groin injury that kept him out of eight games appears to no longer be an issue, though now he is dealing with a right elbow injury.

Hamilton said after Saturday's loss that it was sore but should not prevent him from playing.

More free throws, please

Maybe the problem with Detroit's recent free-throw shooting problems is the team is not taking enough of them.

The Pistons shot just 53.8 percent from the line against New Orleans.

Even more significant is Detroit attempted just 13 free throws.

The Hornets made 95 percent of their free throws, shooting 19-for-20 from the line.

"Thirteen free throws is not going to be good enough, especially at home," Curry said.

"And then when you get there and only make seven, that hurts you in a six-point game."

But the poor shooting from the line with few attempts has been a common trend during Detroit's recent losing skid.

In the Pistons' past five losses, Detroit shot 65.1 percent from the line. Their opponents converted 78.6 percent of their free throws.

In fact, Detroit's past five opponents made more free throws (92) than the Pistons even attempted (86).

"It happens sometimes when you start pressing," Curry said. "You let some wins get away from you, you start pressing and missing shots. That's normally how it sort of snowballs on you."