CLIPPERS VS. DETROIT.

Tipoff: 4:30 p.m., The Palace.

TV/Radio: Channel 9 (6 p.m.); KGIL-AM (540, 1260).

Clippers (31-38) update: The Clippers didn't begin their crucial road trip well, losing big to Atlanta, a team they didn't match up well with in the first place. Now they get a meeting with the Pistons, who beat the Clippers 91-85 at the Sports Arena last month. The key is for Bo Outlaw to contain Grant Hill and for Malik Sealy to slow down Joe Dumars, who scored 23 points in the last meeting.

Pistons (48-21) update: Detroit is in a virtual tie for second place with Atlanta in the Central Division, so it has something to play for. The Pistons have been the surprise of the Eastern Conference and could be a playoff sleeper team. Hill leads the team in scoring while Dumars and Lindsay Hunter have been dependable contributors.