After three straight Eastern Conference final exits, the Detroit Pistons are eager to prove they can still make a run for a championship. Solid play from their veteran core and young players in their first game was a step in the right direction.

The Pistons look to build off their season-opening victory when they host the Washington Wizards on Saturday.

Expectations are relatively low for the Pistons, whose only major offseason move was naming Michael Curry coach in June.

Detroit, which has advanced to six straight conference finals and was the 2004 NBA champion, provided fodder for doubters with its inconsistent play in 2007-08.

"We've earned the right for people to ask, 'Has this team made their last run?' We've earned the right (for people) to ask if we're going to be able to get it with the few changes we've made," Curry said. "We have to reassure ourselves, first and foremost."

In Curry's debut on Wednesday, the Pistons defeated Indiana 100-94.

"It's great, we congratulated M.C., but we're looking to get many more," said Chauncey Billups, who had 13 points and seven assists.

Tayshaun Prince scored a team-high 19 points and Richard Hamilton added 15. Walter Herrmann led the Detroit reserves with 10 points, and 21-year-old Amir Johnson had six points, six rebounds and three blocks in his first NBA start.

The win wasn't perfect for Detroit as Indiana trimmed a 16-point fourth-quarter deficit down to five midway through the period, but it appears the Pistons have a good foundation in place.

"It's going to take a little time to get the offense down because over the last five years we have been running different plays, but that's fine," Billups said. "We will get there. You don't learn everything right away but in time as the season progresses we will be just fine."

The Pistons are counting on Johnson and Jason Maxiell to fill in for Rasheed Wallace and Antonio McDyess after they move on, retire or are traded. On Thursday Detroit took a step toward ensuring it will have players to replace its aging frontcourt as Maxiell agreed to a $20 million, four-year extension.

Maxiell, who had seven points and four rebounds Wednesday, scored a career-high 28 points on 11-of-13 shooting in Detroit's 102-74 win over the Wizards on April 11.

The Pistons won two of three over Washington last season.

The Wizards opened the 2008-09 season with a 95-85 loss to New Jersey on Wednesday.

Six Wizards scored in double figures, but coach Eddie Jordan wasn't pleased by what he called a lack of energy from his players. All-Stars Antawn Jamison and Caron Butler combined for 27 points on 9-of-29 shooting.

"You've got to get your main guys to put the stamp on the game," Jordan said. "And our top guys had to put a stamp on the game, and they didn't do it."

Jamison and Butler are expected to carry the load with Gilbert Arenas sidelined after a third knee operation in 1 1/2 years and center Brendan Haywood possibly out for the entire season after surgery on his right wrist.

Jamison averaged 20.0 points and 9.7 rebounds in the three games versus the Pistons last season, while Butler contributed 15.0 points and 5.7 assists.