Pelicans-Pistons Preview

By NOEY KUPCHAN

(AP) -- They're still in last place for now, but the rejuvenated Detroit Pistons have been nearly unbeatable for the past 2 1/2 weeks.

The Pistons try to stay hot Wednesday night against the road-challenged New Orleans Pelicans, who could be without starting point guard Jrue Holiday.

Detroit (14-24) has averaged 107.0 points and won nine of 10 since releasing Josh Smith, with its only loss coming 106-103 to Eastern Conference-leading Atlanta on Friday.

"We started making our shots, we started shooting with more confidence, and we started to space the floor out for everybody," center Andre Drummond said. "You've got to pick your poison, whether you want a 3, or you want to, you know, get dunked on."

The Pistons still sit at the bottom of the Central Division, but they're starting to give their fans reason to cheer.

"They're getting into it. I think that's great, because I think that's what our fans deserve," coach Stan Van Gundy said. "We're not going to win every night, and we're still a really young team, but there's no reason we can't bring that energy and a fight to the game every night, and I think our fans are responding to that."

The Pistons return home after getting past Atlantic-leading Toronto 114-111 on Monday. Brandon Jennings continued his recent surge with 34 points and 10 assists while Greg Monroe scored 22 to go with 10 rebounds as Detroit snapped the Raptors' streak of 38 consecutive home wins when leading after three quarters.

The Pistons tied a season high by forcing 19 turnovers and outscored Toronto 25-10 at the foul line.

"I feel like we've been a good team all along," Jodie Meeks told the team's official website. "We're still in the hole, but we're trying to get out of it."

The Pistons are hoping to continue their climb against a Pelicans team that's taken four straight in the series. However, New Orleans has dropped 10 of its last 13 away from home, including five in a row.

The Pelicans (18-19) fell below .500 for the first time since Dec. 14 with Monday's 108-100 loss at Boston. Anthony Davis led all scorers with 34 points but New Orleans was outscored 36-24 in the fourth quarter.

The Pelicans are 0-7 on the road against Eastern foes.

"I'm not doing a good job of getting our guys to play the same way every game and it's plagued us all year long," coach Monty Williams said. "We play selfish, we separate when things don't go well - especially on the road - and its something that falls in my lap and I have to figure it out."

Williams also may need to figure out his point guard situation if Holiday can't go after missing the second half of Monday's defeat with an ankle injury. Tyreke Evans would likely handle duties at the point if Holiday is out, and the Pelicans reportedly were close to signing recently released Nate Wolters to a 10-day contract on Tuesday.

Davis is averaging a league-leading 27.4 points on the road compared to 20.0 at home. He's scored just 15 points on 4-of-19 shooting in two games against the Pistons.

Ryan Anderson is averaging 24.0 points over his last three in the series.

Jennings is averaging 22.7 points on 47.2 percent shooting in seven games this month. He's averaging 25.0 points in his last four matchups against New Orleans.

Quincy Pondexter should be available for the Pelicans after coming over from Memphis in a three-team trade Monday.