"The Pistons have responded well after having extended periods of practice this season.

So with two days of practice before Sunday's game against the Wizards -- winners of a whopping one road game this season -- it looked as if a Pistons victory was a good bet.

That was the case as the Pistons (23-41), seemingly limping to the finish of the season, were able to snap a two-game losing streak.

Detroit was boosted by the return of Tayshaun Prince, who missed the last four games with a sore hip. After a slow start, he scored 14 points in the second half to finish with 20.

"It was slow in the first half," Prince said. "It was slow getting loose or whatnot. By the second quarter, I started feeling a little bit better when I came in the second time. Whenever you come back from an injury, the first game you (are) kind of nervous.

"You try to push through to see how much you can really go because practice isn't game-like or the same thing. It felt good."

But Pistons coach John Kuester had a feeling Prince would be fine since he was good during the practices."