Stuckey Will Help Pistons Go Smaller

First-year Pistons Coach Michael Curry is doing what he can to get his team going. Following Sunday's 104-92 loss to the Knicks during which the Pistons once trailed by 29 points, Curry decided on a lineup change, one that will make second-year guard Rodney Stuckey a starter tonight in a smaller lineup that includes Iverson at shooting guard, Richard Hamilton at small forward, Tayshaun Prince at power forward and Rasheed Wallace at center.

The Wizards struggled to handle a similar small lineup employed by the Bulls during Saturday's 117-110 loss.

"They'll look to do some drive and kick and try to stretch you out and then drive you," Wizards Coach Ed Tapscott said. "We worked on maintaining what we call elbow [of the free throw line] and lane integrity. What you don't want is a big doughnut hole in your man-to-man defense. You want to pack it in so when a guard catches the ball, he sees bodies in the lane." . . .

Rookie center JaVale McGee played only 11 minutes Saturday night and could have his hands full matching up with Wallace, who can score from the low post and can step out and make three-point shots, but Tapscott said he plans on continuing to start McGee and point guard Dee Brown.

Ayers Update

Assistant coach Randy Ayers continues to recover from a minor medical procedure performed on his neck on Nov. 24. Ayers has been attending practices and home games but hasn't been on the bench and hasn't traveled with the team. Tapscott said Ayers is improving and could make the trip with the team to Philadelphia on Saturday.