"We'll really know when we face

Devin Harris," Brown said.

Few players have given the Pistons as many problems this season as Harris, who will lead the New Jersey Nets into The Palace of Auburn Hills tonight.

The 6-foot-3 guard has averaged 25.3 points and 7.3 assists in three games against Detroit.

"He's a great player," said Pistons guard Rodney Stuckey, who will chase Harris tonight. "He's crafty, fast ... he's good, really good."

Harris' success has made him a front-runner for the league's most improved player award.

He is averaging career highs in scoring (21.8) and assists (seven) for the Nets (32-46), who were eliminated from the playoff race following Wednesday's loss at Boston.

Harris' success has not come as a surprise to Pistons coach Michael Curry, who followed Harris' career when he starred at Wisconsin.

"You saw that he had the ability to make plays, not only for himself but for his teammates," Curry said. "(The Nets) do a tremendous job of putting him in spread pick-and-rolls so he can use his ability, his speed and quickness to come off and make plays.

"You have to defend him a number of different ways so that you can contain him."

Limiting a big-time scorer will be among the many challenges Detroit will face in the playoffs, regardless of which team they face in the first round. That is why games such as tonight's have value beyond simply improving the team's record and possible playoff seeding.

"Guys here understand we haven't played consistent enough all year," Curry said. "We haven't played our best Basketball. The reality is, we get healthy and we can finish strong, we all start 0-0 come playoff time. The only difference is we'll start out on the road this time."