A return to the Palace didn't earn a win for the Pistons, but Detroit won a small victory in rebounding.

After being mahandled on their 0-5 West Coast trip, the Pistons finally won a battle on the boards Thursday, outrebounding the Nets, 46-42.

The Pistons' rebounding numbers were mediocre early in the season, but no one fretted because they were winning. But the Western swing brought the numbers to new lows -- worst in the league.

The numbers come as a surprise, because the Pistons led the NBA in rebounding last season. This season, they're dead last, averaging 37.3 rebounds to their opponents' 43.2 entering Thursday. Their five Western Conference opponents outrebounded the Pistons, 226-178 -- almost a 10-rebound difference per game.