With those two stars sidelined recently, the Pistons have still won eight of nine, and on Saturday night they'll try to close a four-game road trip by snapping a seven-game losing streak against the Jazz.

Utah has been without Carlos Boozer since late November, and has had to survive stretches without Mehmet Okur and Deron Williams as well. Those injuries have been a big reason it hasn't won three in a row - something it can accomplish Saturday - since beginning the season 5-0.

Detroit's biggest obstacle has been developing chemistry since the blockbuster trade that sent Chauncey Billups to Denver for Allen Iverson on Nov. 3. After some rough patches, it's starting to look like the move is paying off.

The Pistons (22-12) have won eight of nine since Dec. 23, but what's been impressive is that consistency with which they've played despite the two key injuries. A strained groin has kept Hamilton (17.2 points per game) out of action for the past seven contests, while Wallace (12.3 ppg) has missed four in a row with a sore right foot.

Both were out of action Friday when Iverson made his first trip to Denver since the trade, and despite some rocky shooting, Detroit escaped with a win. Iverson had 20 of his 23 points after halftime to overcome a 6-for-18 night from the field, as the Pistons came back from a 10-point halftime deficit to win 93-90.

"We missed a ton of free throws, (Tayshaun Prince) was 2-for-7 and Iverson was 1-for-8," coach Michael Curry said. "You add all that in and you're just down 10, we felt good going into the second half."

Iverson's averaging 18.6 points on 37.5 percent from the field since Hamilton's been out, but it's been Rodney Stuckey who has more than made up for Hamilton's absence. The second-year guard is averaging 20.2 points in Detroit's last nine games.

Hamilton won't play in the finale of the Pistons' road trip, targeting a return at home Tuesday against Charlotte. Wallace's status against Utah is unclear.

Detroit's lost seven in a row to the Jazz (21-15) with Hamilton in the lineup, including a 120-114 double-overtime home loss on Dec. 19 despite getting 30 from him and a season-high 38 from Iverson. But Williams had 29, former Piston Okur 26 and Millsap 24 and 13 rebounds to keep Utah's streak intact.

Millsap has been one of the league's most pleasant surprises in Boozer's absence. His double-double against Detroit was one of 19 in a row that he's put up since Nov. 24, averaging 19.0 points and 12.1 rebounds.

Millsap led the way on Wednesday at home against New Orleans, scoring 27 points and grabbing 14 rebounds in a 116-90 rout of the Hornets, who had won in Los Angeles the previous night.

"We expected them to come in and give us a good ball game - especially coming off that good win against the Lakers," said Millsap. "We came out with more energy and more intensity and came out with the win.

Millsap and Okur - who's averaging 20.6 points in his last seven games against his former team - may have to step up even more Saturday with starter C.J. Miles expected to be out.

Miles, who's averaged 9.7 points while starting every game this season, twisted his right ankle in the win over the Hornets and is listed as doubtful against Detroit.