(My Sportsbook) - The current road trip for the Detroit Pistons has not exactly been a thing of beauty. After a loss in Los Angeles to the Clippers and a subsequent lackluster victory over the lowly Suns, the Pistons invaded Delta Center with a cranky demeanor in tow. Despite a field-goal drought that lasted longer than a quarter, the Pistons emerged with an 80-78 victory over Utah.

A semi-amused Rick Carlisle accurately summed up the situation.

"I guess the bottom line is we're not playing great, but we're finding a way to make enough plays to win games," Carlisle said. "That's what it has to be about right now. I think we'll get better -- particularly offensively."

Detroit went scoreless from the 5:09 mark of the third until 2:06 remained in the game. Chauncey Billups' trey ended the drought and got the Pistons to within 73-72.

In the fourth quarter, the Pistons converted on just three field goal attempts -- all treys. At one point, Detroit missed 17 consecutive shots.

Richard Hamilton scored a team-high 28 points before fouling out in the fourth. Cliff Robinson scored 13 of his 16 in the first half, but his trey with 1:22 left gave the Pistons a 75-74 lead and momentum. Ben Wallace had 15 rebounds and two blocked shots in the victory.

Such an inept offensive effort would normally guarantee a loss, but this was the Jazz. Utah is a struggling team this season, plus it was playing without a flu-ridden Karl Malone.

ROCKY MOUNTAIN HIGH?

The Pistons play the fourth game of their five-game road trip in Denver Thursday night against the Nuggets at Pepsi Center.

The Nuggets fell to 1-3 on the season by dropping a 103-87 decision to the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday. The teams were tied heading into the fourth quarter, but the Hawks outscored the Nuggets 29-14 in the final frame on the way to the win.

Juwan Howard had 25 points and 15 rebounds and James Posey added 21 points for the Nuggets. Howard played his first game of the year after serving a two-game suspension and then missing Saturday's contest at Portland with a stomach virus.

Nuggets point guard Chris Whitney sprained his left ankle with 5:42 remaining in the fourth quarter and did not return to the contest. He is questionable for Thursday's game. If he is unable to play, the Nuggets will start second-year player Kenny Satterfield at the point.

The Pistons won both meetings between these teams last season and have captured three straight overall. Detroit has also won three of its last five at Denver.

Detroit is 2-1 on the road this season, while the Nuggets are 0-2 at home.