It looks like the Pistons have to make room for another “Microwave.” But the identity is somewhat unexpected.

Coming into the season, it was assumed free-agent acquisition Ben Gordon would fill the role of instant offense off the bench – as Vinnie Johnson did for the Bad Boys.

Gordon has been knocking down shots (when healthy), but fellow free-agent arrival Charlie Villanueva has been on a tear since he became a reserve.

The team has won six of its last seven games and Villanueva came off the bench in all six wins (he missed the loss in Chicago with a broken nose). He is averaging 17.8 points in less than 30 minutes per game in the last five, all wins.

“The advantage that I have now when I’m on the bench is that I can see what’s going on with the flow of the game,” Villanueva said after a light practice Sunday. “I’ve been doing it throughout my whole career – coming off the bench or starting or whatnot.”

“So far, we haven’t lost a game with me coming off the bench so if ain’t broke, why fix it?”

And after complaining of some discomfort from wearing a protective mask for his nose, Villanueva appears to be warming to it. But don’t expect it to become permanent when his nose heals.

“It’s OK,” Villanueva said. “I’m getting a little more comfortable with it, but it’s still annoying. I’ll probably get rid of it, but we going to see how this week and a half goes.”

With Gordon appearing to be on track to return to the lineup Tuesday night at Houston from a sprained left ankle, the Pistons’ bench is shaping up to be pretty potent.

“That’s going to create a nightmare for a lot of teams,” Villanueva said. “Not a lot people can say they have two great offensive players coming off the bench. And don’t for get (Will Bynum).”

“I just can’t wait to have everybody on the floor at the same time.”