The Pistons have 15 games remaining, but they have already ceased playing defense.

They have the league's worst defensive field-goal percentage at 48.4 percent and took it to new lows on an 0-3 road trip against San Antonio, Oklahoma City and Denver. The Spurs made their first 14 field-goal attempts en route to shooting 64.3 percent and scoring 111 points Wednesday. The Thunder made 50 percent of their shots and scored 104 points Friday, which was a dynamic defensive effort compared to Detroit's performance in Denver on Saturday. The Pistons surrendered a season-high 131 points as the Nuggets shot 56.1 percent and had eight double-digit scorers.

"There were a number of times when guys just didn't communicate," Detroit coach John Kuester said. "You're on the road, you're on the last game of a road trip and you really have to lock in."

Kuester's constant tinkering has contributed to the lack of cohesion and communication on defense. He employed his 17th different lineup Saturday, even though the team has been relatively healthy.

"We are not the type of team to keep up scoring with teams like this," forward Tayshaun Prince said after the Denver loss. "All season, it seems like we try and play like this with those type of teams, outscore them, but that is not in our repertoire."

If they don't improve, the Pistons are a lock to secure the team's worst defensive field-goal percentage for a season since 1985-86, when opponents converted at a 49.2 percent rate. But those were different times in the NBA, as teams regularly averaged 115 to 120 points. The Pistons had a 46-36 record that season.

This group will be fortunate to reach 30 victories. The Pistons will be matched up Wednesday at The Palace against Toronto, which has the second-worst defense in the league. Neither club has been able to stop the other in their first three meetings.

The Pistons lead the season series 2-1 despite giving up an average of 102.6 points on 53.9 percent shooting. Detroit's offense has averaged 110.7 points on 48.5 percent shooting.

NUGGETS 131, PISTONS 101: The Nuggets went on a 21-2 run to finish the third quarter, turning a tie game into a rout Saturday night. Denver guard J.R. Smith led the barrage with 31 points as the Pistons lost for the 11th time in 14 games. They finish the season with an 8-22 record against the Western Conference.

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