Billups out; backups also ailing

[kris]

Mike James or Lindsey Hunter is expected to start at point guard tonight when the Pistons play Toronto at the Palace. Regular starter Chauncey Billups likely will be out the next two games with a sore left ankle.

Billups was hurt when he stepped on Tyronn Lue's foot in Tuesday's victory over Orlando. James has a groin injury and Hunter has tendinitis, so all three point guards have some ailment with the playoffs about a week away.

Coach Larry Brown said forward Tayshaun Prince likely would play some at the point, which usually makes him more aggressive on offense.

Billups said his sore ankle was better, but not well enough to play.

"I'm feeling a little better than I did yesterday, but it still hurts and it's sore," Billups said Thursday. "I'm just trying to make progress every day. I didn't think it was as bad as what it was after I left the game that day. It's not as bad as it was last year; not even close. I wasn't even walking or doing the things I am now until a week later."

Billups missed three playoff games last year when the same ankle was hurt. He was less than 100 percent when the New Jersey Nets swept the Pistons out of the Eastern Conference finals.

"I just have to take my time and make sure it's right," Billups said. "I'll probably sit the weekend," including Saturday at Orlando.

With Billups out, Brown said, James and Hunter normally would get some important minutes heading into the playoffs. But Brown doesn't want them to aggravate their injuries.

"If Mike were healthy and Lindsey were healthy it would be a blessing in disguise," Brown said. "It would be a good opportunity for them to get better.

"Maybe Tayshaun will have to play a little bit back there and just move around. I think Chauncey will be all right, but if he's still hurting I don't know. I don't think it's the end of the world provided we have three days to practice" after the regular season ends Tuesday.

Shooting guard Richard Hamilton feels fine about starting with James or Hunter.

"Him and Linds are my pit bulls," Hamilton said. "They get up on defense and really pressure the ball. They get into the passing lanes and help us get easy baskets. Mike's a tough-minded kid that knows how to play the game and won't back down against anybody."

Hamilton and Billups have started together for two seasons, and Hamilton naturally wants Billups back for the playoffs.

"He had been healthy all year, and this happens," Hamilton said. "The important thing is he gets healthy."