<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">AUBURN HILLS - The first time, they had to get over the strange feeling of playing against their former captain. The second time, their crowd reacted like a spurned lover when he returned to The Palace. When the Pistons play against Ben Wallace and the Bulls again tonight in Chicago, the emotional tug-of-war will be replaced by a more businesslike approach. "It's always going to be fun to play against him, of course, with him on the other side, but I think all of that other stuff is pretty much over," Chauncey Billups said Wednesday. "It's done with." In the bigger picture, the Pistons are trying to preserve the best record in the Eastern Conference and homecourt advantage until The Finals. They have a four-game lead on the Bulls, with the pesky Cleveland Cavaliers sandwiched in between them. A Pistons victory would give them a six-game lead in the loss column over the Bulls, who have played two more games. "It might be bigger for them but it's still just a regular-season game for us," said Rasheed Wallace, whose stunning 60-foot heave lifted the Pistons to an overtime victory against Denver Monday. "The playoffs bring a whole different attitude, a whole different persona and that's one of the things Ben knows. That's what he's trying to instill in those young guys, that the playoffs are a whole different world." They'll face each other one more time during the regular season at The Palace Wednesday night. By then, the Pistons hope they'll have shaken the fl u bug. Richard Hamilton, Chris Webber and Dale Davis missed practice Wednesday because of illnesses, and all three will be game-time decisions tonight. Hamilton has already missed the last two games, while Webber stayed home against Denver. Getting everyone back in action is one of the Pistons' goals heading toward the playoffs, which begin April 22. The other is to establish some consistency and get their rotation set. "We're trying to get the wheels moving here, to be in a full drive," Wallace said. "We've been looking forward to the playoffs all season, pretty much a majority of the veterans have. Last year left a bad taste in our mouths." So did the fi rst meeting with the Bulls this season. They were blown out, 106-89, at the United Center Jan. 6, though Billups missed that game with a calf injury. In the rematch Feb. 25, the Pistons held off a late Bulls rally for a 95-93 victory. </div> Source
Rasheed Wallace is right about the playoffs being a whole new ball game. This should be a great game.
they say its just a regular season game. but we all know this is a statement game for both teams. With the regular season meeting split this game along with the game on wed means alot. the bulls and cavs arent out of contention for the number 1 spot with all three teams meating over these last 10 games or so. This should be a good game.
Bulls need this win to catch up to Detroit or kiss away any chance of #1 seed. should be a good game.
<div class="quote_poster">GarnettKG21 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Big Ben had a good rebounding game with 19! But only with 6pts, which is expected.</div> He deserved 12 with that ugly looking shot but Sheed with another tech. Hes prolly gonna be sittin out atleast 1 more game this season.
<div class="quote_poster">Detroit Madness Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">He deserved 12 with that ugly looking shot but Sheed with another tech. Hes prolly gonna be sittin out atleast 1 more game this season.</div> I kinda hope it is the game before the Bulls rematch. We want #1 seed.
Tay was a little frustrated by dengs d in the first 3 quarters. but in the 4th he was hitting shots in dengs grill. did you guys see that shot deng hit over prince at the top of the Key?
You guys definitely look like your gonna close in on the #2 seed. #1 seed is so precious my boys need to pick the pace up. If you guys can get in 2nd place then we'd face you in the Conference Finals.
I dont take much from the game. We played very well even without Webber and Rip. Bulls fans shouldnt get too excited.
<div class="quote_poster">slpnsld23 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I dont take much from the game. We played very well even without Webber and Rip. Bulls fans shouldnt get too excited.</div> please, poor 2nd quarter and inability to finish was the only reason it was that close.
<div class="quote_poster">slpnsld23 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I dont take much from the game. We played very well even without Webber and Rip. Bulls fans shouldnt get too excited.</div> okay whos happy? the real thing is that detroit shouldnt be so relaxed. Bulls are without noch and you were without rip. the pistons play well with or without webber. a win is a win tho. the season series is 2-1 bulls with a game left on wed.
<div class="quote_poster">michiganave17 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post"><u>Central divisional records </u> Detroit 7-6 Cleveland 8-5 Chicago 11-3</div> Give me real statisitcs Detroit 45-26 Cleveland- 43-29 Chicago- 43-30
Without Webb and Rip It was good to see the game being so close. Bulls are tough but I wouldn't mind seeing them in the playoffs at all. If they had any kind of inside post player they could be a scary team to face.
