Auburn Hills— Jason Maxiell made his case Friday night against the Hawks to stay in the Pistons' playing rotation.
In Detroit's 107-101 overtime loss, Maxiell scored a season-high 19 points.
Maxiell seemed more focused about the loss than a strong effort in the paint that came two days after a scoreless outing against the Heat, and a two-point performance Monday an Oklahoma City.
"Just tried to hit my first (shot)," Maxiell said of his play. "You hit that first, and just keep trying to play hard."
The Hawks clearly had a void to fill on both sides of the floor because Horford, a Grand Ledge native, is out indefinitely with a torn pectoral muscle.
Maxiell scored 12 of his points by halftime, finishing of a second quarter the Pistons never trailed.
Maxiell considers the team's collapse in overtime, surrendering 20 points in overtime, as yet another learning experience.
"We're still trying to turn over another leaf," he said.
Singler staying put?
Kyle Singler , the Pistons' second-round pick last spring, told the Associated Press he has no regrets over his decision to remain in Spain.
The former Duke forward also reportedly saidhe felt pressured by the Pistons to return to the United States after the lockout, but preferred to stay in Spain and hone his skills with Real Madrid.
"The bottom line was that I was a little selfish," said Singler, 23. "I wanted the best for myself, I wanted to be happy."
Pistons coach Lawrence Frank said before Friday's game against the Hawks he was unawareof any pressure put on Singler by the franchise to leave Spain.
"We were very excited about drafting Kyle," Frank said. "We think he has a great future with us, but I don't think there was any pressure whatsoever. (At the timeSingler signed with Real Madrid), it was a lockout and you're not allowed to contact the guy."
The 6-foot-8 Singler signed a one-year deal with Real Madrid, and is averaging 14.4 points.
Tough stretch ahead
The Pistons' schedule definitely won't do them any favors in the coming days.
Their brutal stretch starts tonight with a trip to Philadelphia, followed by back-to-back-to-back road games next week against the Bucks, Knicks and Nets.
Frank describes the NBA as a "no sympathy league" that will present a "mental toughness test" that his team should embrace.
Rookie point guard Brandon Knight said he's doing all he can to prepare for it.
"Make sure you get with the training staff, get your rest," Knight said.
"When they tell you to get off your feet (during off-days), get off your feet."
Slam dunks
Tayshaun Prince missed his second straight game because an undisclosed family matter.
He didn't attend the team's morning shootaround or the game.
… Guards Ben Gordon (sore left shoulder) and Will Bynum (strained right foot), and forward Charlie Villanueva (sore right ankle) also didn't play, but were on the bench in street clothes.
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