"Nearing the halfway point of the season, the Pistons are 2 1/2 games out of the eighth and final Eastern Conference playoff spot amid team dissension and the uncertainty of Rip Hamilton's future with the team.

Philadelphia (16-23) was idle Saturday night and in possession of the eighth spot. The Pistons (14-26) haven't won more than two straight games all season.

While the Pistons juggle their lineup more than a circus act, any kind of good week of victories would put the team in a situation to play meaningful games in March and April.

"Oh, man, I haven't even thought about that (the playoffs)," said Ben Wallace, who missed his third straight game Saturday with a left ankle injury. "I'm just hoping we can get a nice rhythm together and put together a nice little streak.

"Once you start chasing that playoff spot, it becomes difficult. We just want to try to string together some wins right now, and at the end of the season we count them up and see where we're at. That's how I do it. Don't start chasing it now. Don't chase the playoffs, let's chase some wins."

Coach John Kuester admitted Saturday night that he's still trying to find the right combination of starters and role players."