The Pistons, still inconsistent after altering their chemistry with a deal for Allen Iverson, look to win for the first time in five Sunday games when they visit the struggling New York Knicks.

Detroit (11-7), which has made the East finals each of the last six seasons, made a somewhat risky trade by sending steady point guard Chauncey Billups to Denver as part of a deal for Iverson. The Pistons have responded with up-and-down play.

Just this past week, Detroit won at San Antonio 89-77 on Tuesday night but lost three days later at home to Philadelphia 96-91.

Sundays, inexplicably, have been particularly bad for the Pistons. Detroit has played more games on that day than any other team in the league, losing all four contests while going 11-3 on all other days.

In its Sunday matchups, Detroit has averaged a league-worst 81.8 points while shooting 38.6 percent.

The Pistons are going to need more production than that to keep up with New York (8-11). The Knicks have lost three straight and eight of their last 10, but are averaging 104.0 points under first-year coach Mike D'Antoni.

Detroit beat New York 110-96 at home on Nov. 26 - a Wednesday - with eight of its players scoring in double figures. The Pistons last had eight players score 10 or more points on Jan. 19, 1990, against Golden State.

Against the 76ers, though, Detroit blew a 15-point second-half lead, giving up 38 in the fourth quarter.

"We've just got to do a better job defending," Pistons guard Richard Hamilton said.

Hamilton had 19 points, his most since finishing with 19 against Phoenix on Nov. 16. He's scored a combined nine points in his las two games at New York.

The Knicks were short-handed in their last meeting with the Pistons. They were still trying to put together a roster after trading away their two leading scorers, and Nate Robinson missed the game with a groin strain.

That left New York with eight players, and starting guard Quentin Richardson played despite an arm injury.

The Knicks lost 98-95 to Atlanta on Friday night, but their depth was improved.

New York continues to play without guard Stephon Marbury, who was ordered by team president Donnie Walsh on Monday to stay away from practices and games. But Robinson had four points after missing four games because of a strained groin, and Jared Jeffries returned from a broken left fibula to make his first appearance of the season.

Jeffries had six points and seven rebounds but fell under the basket with 7:55 to play. He limped back up the court, and left the game. He didn't return but said he didn't aggravate the injury.

"More than anything it scared me," Jeffries said. "I'll get a lot better, get my legs back."

Al Harrington, acquired from Golden State for Jamal Crawford on Nov. 21, scored 27 points but missed a last-second 3 that would have forced overtime. Harrington is averaging 12.4 points and 5.6 rebounds in five games with the Knicks.