AUBURN HILLS -- As Detroit Pistons forward Antonio McDyess sat in his locker stall after Monday night's 88-82 win against Orlando, he was relieved to be thinking about his sore ribs.
"Last game, it was my (left) thigh," McDyess said. "I think my ribs made me forget about that." McDyess is one of several Pistons players battling the bumps and bruises that accompany an 82-game season.
Richard Hamilton, who missed Detroit's past two games with a strained left groin injury, is expected to miss today's game after missing Tuesday's practice.
Nagging injuries are natural for NBA players, but they become more difficult to overcome with a veteran team such as the Pistons.
Detroit coach Michael Curry, a 12-year NBA veteran, understands the challenges older players face when trying to stay healthy.
He recently cut practice time to help his team's health and conditioning.
"It's part of the plan in this second phase as we go through the whole season," Curry said. "We knew this set of 20 games we would lay off those guys some, give them more breaks."
Tayshaun Prince, who has started an NBA-best 362 consecutive games, credits Pistons strength and conditioning coach Arnie Kander for helping to prevent injuries.
"A lot of guys have been nicked up and been able to take care of the injury as quickly as possible," Prince said.
