Pistons looking for 10th win in last 11 games

Having won 9 of 10 games since the dismissal of Josh Smith, the Detroit Pistons are riding a wave of confidence that hasn't been seen around the Palace of Auburn Hills in countless years. The pain and agony of being any sort of sports fan in the state of Michigan is well-documented.

That said, it can seem impossible attempting to maintain any fair level of fandom for the Lions or Pistons. It's as if that loyalty has been rewarded only with heartache (the former perhaps worse, as the last Pistons championship was merely a decade ago) and frustration. Alas, the tear that this season's Pistons team has been on of late can be described only as unholy and completely baffling. After starting the season as arguably the worst squad in the league, they have recently shown a level of competence in wins over competitive teams such as San Antonio, Toronto, Dallas and Cleveland that would jump-start the heart of any tried-and-true Detroit fan.

Tonight, they prime themselves to take on a young New Orleans Pelicans team who has just as much to prove to the league as the Pistons themselves. The Pelicans do have, arguably, the best player in the league, and have shown their ability to impose their will on opponents. This current Pistons team? They've shown much the same resolve, and as previously mentioned, have just as much to lose as tonight's opponent. Confidence in pro sports is something easily gained or lost. And the momentum they've built of late is something they're certainly not keen to lose.