Head coach Michael Curry made a last-gasp attempt to salvage the season by reinserting Richard Hamilton into the starting lineup at Orlando Friday night. The Pistons responded by snapping their longest losing streak in 14 years as Hamilton scored a game-high 31 points with six assists.

Iverson will come off the bench on a regular basis for the first time in his storied career -- once he's healthy. Iverson flew back to Detroit Friday to get X-rays on his ailing back. The X-rays didn't show any breaks but he plans to see a specialist and is doubtful to play Sunday afternoon at Boston, the finale of Detroit's five-game road trip.

"It's nothing on Allen," Curry said. "He's a guy that needs the ball, and because of that it reduces the time (point guard) Rodney Stuckey has the ball in his hands. That has taken away some of Rodney's aggressiveness."

Stuckey played his best game all month, scoring 22 points, and Tayshaun Prince got much more involved in the early going and wound up with 17 points.

"This change is about more than just Allen and Rip," Curry said. "We hope that with this change, more guys will play better. That's what we are seeking. Hopefully, this will allow us to execute better, get us back in sync and rejuvenate us."

Iverson, understandably, isn't thrilled about being a sixth man. He's in his walk year and is hoping for one more big payday before his career ends. Curry had a long talk with Iverson Thursday night.

"He's been trying to play hurt and he's been frustrated with that," Curry said. "He didn't react any different than Rip did when I talked to him about coming off the bench earlier. Neither guy wants to come off the bench, but this is the hand we've been dealt. If Allen is healthy, once he steps on the court I am convinced he will give us 110 percent."

PISTONS 93, MAGIC 85: The Pistons didn't miss Allen Iverson and his sore back as Richard Hamilton scored 31 points and Rodney Stuckey 22 in a surprising win over the Magic. Antonio McDyess (13) and Rasheed Wallace (10) did the dirty work down low, collecting 23 rebounds between them.