Stuckey had a solid game with 21 points and 10 assists, but what he will remember most was his decision to not take a potential game-winning shot in regulation. Instead, Stuckey passed to teammate Walter Herrmann, who had been on the floor less than 5 seconds.

Herrmann's 3-pointer rimmed in and out as time expired.

"It probably wasn't a good choice to throw him the ball because he just got into the game," Stuckey said. "That's what I was thinking after he shot it. But hey, it is what it is."

While Curry said Stuckey made the right Basketball decision to pass to Herrmann, he wanted Stuckey to take the final shot of regulation.

"It's still a growing process with him," Curry said. "He's still improving."

That is scary for opposing teams, because Stuckey already has established himself as arguably the best point guard from the 2007 draft, which included Michael Conley of Memphis and Acie Law of Atlanta.

In addition, Stuckey's numbers this season -- 13.4 points, five assists and 3.5 rebounds -- compare favorably to some of the NBA's elite playmakers in their second season.

"He's already a good player in this league," Pistons forward Antonio McDyess said. "With time and more experience, it's only going to help him and help us."

Prince ailing

Tayshaun Prince twisted an ankle Wednesday, but this one was different from previous ones.

"It was more of a fatigue twist," said Prince, who played a career-high 55 minutes against the Rockets. "I didn't touch nobody. I'm just pushing the ball up the court and I felt somebody behind me. So I tried to slow down and ... bam!"

Prince is one of the few Pistons who has remained relatively healthy this season.

But Prince, one of the few Detroit veterans not out with an injury, is starting to feel the effects of extended minutes.

"We just have to get healthy," said Prince, who is averaging a career-high 38.1 minutes. "The longer that they stay out, the more it's going to wear and tear on me, Dice (Antonio McDyess) and Stuckey to try and carry the load."

Richard Hamilton (groin) and Rasheed Wallace (left calf) are expected to be out tonight, along with Allen Iverson (back), who is out indefinitely.

Kaman returns

Los Angeles Clippers center Chris Kaman has spent the bulk of this season sidelined with a left foot injury.

In the five games since he returned, the former Central Michigan star and Tri-unity Christian graduate has averaged 10.2 points in 24.2 minutes per game.