It is a trend they hope to continue tonight when they host the Orlando Magic (24-6), who will visit The Palace of Auburn Hills on a seven-game winning streak, the longest in the NBA.

"It'll be one of those fun games," Pistons guard Allen Iverson said. "It's one of those games where a lot of people are going to count us out. As a player and as a competitor, those are the games you want to be in, the games that people don't think you can win."

Orlando is the only team with one of the top five records in the NBA that Detroit has not played this season. Of the other four (Boston, Cleveland, Los Angeles Lakers and San Antonio), the Pistons are 3-2, with both losses coming to defending NBA champion Boston.

"It's definitely a good test for us," Detroit forward Tayshaun Prince said.

Especially considering the Pistons are starting to play better in longer stretches, which has contributed to them winning their past three games and six of the past eight.

But the Magic, whom the Pistons have eliminated in the playoffs each of the past two postseasons, present a unique set of challenges.

All-Star center Dwight Howard is having another strong season, averaging 19.9 points and 13.6 rebounds.

His inside presence is complimented by a stellar perimeter trio of Rashard Lewis (19.5 points, 6.3 rebounds), Hedo Turkoglu (17.1 points, 5.1 rebounds and 4.5 assists) and point guard Jameer Nelson (17 points, 5.4 assists and 3.6 rebounds).

Detroit's players statistically are not having nearly as good a season as their Orlando counterparts.

But that has mattered little to the Pistons when they have faced the NBA's elite teams this season.

"A lot of times when we play against a good team as far as this season, we've been ready for the challenge," Prince said. "Hopefully, we can step up and do the same thing."

Big or small?

Detroit has had quite a bit of success with its "small ball" lineup, but Orlando's frontcourt will force Detroit to play a more traditional five-man unit possibly for longer stretches than coach Michael Curry would like.

"That's definitely one of the teams where we would like to be big," Curry said. "We just have to make a decision on that by Monday."

Prince, who plays power forward in Detroit's three-guard lineup, acknowledges how challenging it can be determining when to go with the smaller unit, which has played well at times.

But he acknowledged the bigger lineup has its advantages as well.

"When we have the bigger lineup, we're better defensively, we're better defensive rebounding and it gives us an opportunity to block more shots," Prince said.

Injury report

Pistons guard Richard Hamilton, who did not play Saturday because of a left groin injury, is questionable for tonight. If he does not play, Amir Johnson once again will start at power forward with Tayshaun Prince back to small forward and Rasheed Wallace at center. The backcourt will consist of Rodney Stuckey and Iverson.