AUBURN HILLS, MI – FEBRUARY 4: Tayshaun Prince #22 of the Detroit Pistons shoots against the New Orleans Hornets during the game on February 4, 2012 at The Palace of Auburn Hills in Auburn Hills, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2012 NBAE (Photo by Dan Lippitt/NBAE via Getty Images)
(AP) — The New Jersey Nets and Detroit Pistons have gone in opposite directions since they met last Wednesday.
The Pistons have won consecutive games for the first time in a month while the Nets have lost three in a row heading into Wednesday night’s opener of a home-and-home set at the Prudential Center.
New Jersey (8-18) won 99-96 at home over Detroit (6-20) last Wednesday. The Pistons lost their seventh straight on the road, falling to 1-12 away from Auburn Hills.
Detroit returned home and won two straight, with Greg Monroe averaging 21.0 points and 13.5 rebounds in those contests. Monroe has double-doubles in seven of his last eight games, only missing out when he had 21 points and eight boards in last week’s loss to the Nets.
The second-year center will be averaging a double-double if he gets 13 rebounds Wednesday. His 16.3 points per game and 9.9 boards are major improvements from his rookie season.
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