"We have to do a better job of closing games out," Detroit's Arron Afflalo said. "That's about taking care of some of the smaller things during the game so you're not in that position towards the end."

This was especially true in Detroit's most recent setback, a 101-96 loss to the Miami Heat on Sunday.

Detroit led for more than three quarters, only to allow Miami to close the game with a 17-7 run.

Tonight's opponent, Chicago, came away with a similar victory against Detroit last month.

On Feb. 10 in Chicago, the Pistons led the Bulls by as many as 15 points in the fourth quarter with about 7 minutes to play. From there, Detroit went into an offensive funk that ended with a disappointing 107-102 loss.

"I can't explain that one," Pistons forward Tayshaun Prince said after the February loss. "I can't explain that one if I tried."

Part of Detroit's problem late in games is that many key players (Rasheed Wallace, Richard Hamilton, Allen Iverson) are out with injuries. The remaining players are not used to delivering game-winning plays.

"In the past, we've been better in closing games out," Curry said.

"We had guys that were familiar with each other, and knew how to close it out. We have to continue to get better at that, get confidence in finishing games. Once you start doing it and get confidence in doing it, that's how you put together long winning streaks and start having really successful seasons."

The Pistons also were able to close off games in the past because of the free-throw shooting ability of Chauncey Billups and Hamilton. Both shot above 85 percent from the line, and gave the Pistons a way of picking up easy points. But Billups, who hits 90.5 percent of his free throws, was traded early in the season for Iverson, and that reliability has been hard to replace.

Finding a way to close out games won't be any easier tonight against Chicago, which is trying to improve its playoff position.

The Bulls currently are eighth in the Eastern Conference playoff race, two games behind the Pistons.