AUBURN HILLS -- Detroit Pistons coach Michael Curry has had moments this season when it was difficult for him to hide his disappointment and frustration with the effort of his players.
Sunday was one of those times, as the Pistons were defeated by the lowly Memphis Grizzlies 89-84 in a game that was not nearly as close as the final score suggests. "We didn't come ready to play," a visibly upset Curry said. "You can't be down 17 at home, an important game."
It was not the type of performance most would expect from the Pistons, who are fighting for their playoff lives, against a team with the fourth-worst record in the NBA.
"To get down by 17 to the Memphis Grizzlies and talk about playoffs ... that's embarrassing," Pistons center Kwame Brown said.
Detroit forward Antonio McDyess said he can understand why Curry was upset.
"The way we played, we came out with no energy," said McDyess, who tallied his fourth double-double in a row with 19 points and 12 rebounds. "It was like we had no will to win in the first half."
Curry hinted that the problem might have to do with what the players did the previous night.
"Whatever we did Saturday, we didn't give ourselves a chance to play early on Sunday," Curry said. "That's been consistent throughout the year."
With the loss, the Pistons (33-32) have dropped 11 of their 13 Sunday games. That record includes losing all seven of their Sunday games at home.
Pistons players said their Sunday struggles have nothing to do with what they do the previous night.
"I don't think that's the problem," Detroit guard Will Bynum said. "I just think they came out and made shots tonight and our energy level wasn't there. We have a veteran team. Guys are professional enough to understand we have a 1 p.m. game and put themselves in position to take care of their bodies. I just think it was just a slow start."
Said McDyess: "That don't have anything to do with it. I don't think anyone on this team did anything out of the ordinary on Saturday just to come in and not be prepared for Sunday. It's like they're trying to say it's a curse on Sunday, but it's not."
