Bulls @ Pistons Chicago Bulls(18-45) @ Detroit Pistons(41-25) Mar. 10, 7:30 pm The Palace of Auburn Hills TV: Fox Sports Detroit, NBALP Previous Game Sixers 89 @ Bulls 81 Pistons 86 @ Sonics 65 Series: Detroit leads the series 3-0. Last Meeting: Pistons 107 @ Bulls 88 on February 25, 2004 Streaks Bulls: Lost 3(3-7 in last ten) Pistons: Won 3 (7-3 in last ten) Head Coaches vs. Skiles vs. Larry Brown Probable Starters PG: vs. Kirk Hinrich vs. Chauncey Billups SG: vs. Jamal Crawford vs. Richard Hamilton SF: vs. Jerome Williams vs. Tayshaun Prince PF: vs. Antonio Davis vs. Ben Wallace C: vs. Eddy Curry vs. Rasheed Wallace 6th Men vs. Tyson Chandler vs. Mike James Players to Watch vs. Curry: 14.3 Points (.498 FG%, .679 FT%), .9 Assists, 6.2 Rebounds Wallace (with Detroit): 14.2 Points (.387 FG%, .742 FT%), 2.4 Assists, 7.2 Rebounds, 2.1 Blocks Wallace has been excellent for the Pistons during the last few games and it looks like he is starting to gel. Wallace will need to defend Curry in post. Injury Report Chicago Bulls Antonio Davis is probable. Kendall Gill is questionable. Marcus Fizer Chris Jefferies Scottie Pippen Detroit Pistons Richard Hamilton is probable. Mehmet Okur Keys to the Game <u>Chicago Bulls:</u> <ul> [*]Guard Rasheed Wallace (Rasheed will probably be looking to have a big game tonight. He should come out and play with a lot of intensity. Rasheed will try to go inside and the Bulls must keep him out of the low post.) [*]Get some rebounds (Detroit will look to take advantage with their frontcourt. Bulls will need to get some defensive rebounds to prevent extra possesions for the Pistons. Some extra offensive rebounds wouldn't hurt either.) [*]Get some efficient minutes from Crawford (Jamal can play very well a lot. For the Bulls to win, he will need to have a great game. He is one of there key players and is a pretty good guard. [*]Good play from Hinrich and Curry (These two players could also help determine the game. Hinrich is a great rookie and a great passed, he can also shoot well. He will need to try to spread the ball around to get some easy shots. Curry will need to get some good low post position and look to stay agressive, even against the Wallaces.) [/list] <u>Detroit Pistons:</u> <ul> [*]Run the fastbreak/Finish the team off (Detroit should look to try spreading the ball and running tonight. Chicago is not a great team and Detroit should be able to get as many easy baskets as possible. Even if Detroit builds a lead, they need to keep playing so that Chicago does not come back, finish them off.) [*]Take the ball inside (Larry Brown keeps trying to get the Pistons to take the ball inside more. Detroit needs to start doing this so that they can be better prepared for the playoffs. Get the ball to Rasheed, Ben, Corliss, and Elden and let them get some easy points. Also, Billups will need to penetrate and be able to generate fouls.) [*]Get good production from Hamilton and Billups (Even with Rasheed Wallace, most of the Pistons' offense relies on the guards. Billups and Hamilton still need to play well and with intensity. They cannot relax and take breaks during the game.) [*]Play the Piston's style of basketball/Get the crowd excited (The Pistons need to get back the basics of spreading the ball around and getting open shots. The Pistons also need some smart bench play and some excellent execution on the offensive end. The Pistons are on their home court and need to get the crowd excited. Get some good plays, make some key substitutions, and pump up the crowd.) [/list] PyroManiac's Prediction Pistons should be able to win this win easily. Detroit is the better team and have been playing like an elite team lately, even if it is against weaker opponents. Detroit needs to play some mind blowing defense, and hopefully extend the record of consective games keeping a team under 70 to 4. Pistons by 15+.
I don't want to sound too confident, but I'm predicting a career high in points for Darko. Sure, they've got a couple guys, but come on, it's the Bulls. It's actually really weird that they're bad, they've really gone from the top to the bottom. Pistons by some number higher than 15, doesn't really matter.
BigMemo, you forgot to call me "The Great One". Oh, I also edited your avatar a while ago, but I forgot to post it. Here: Career high for Darko, lol. I think we should play him for 48 minutes, let him enjoy. Too bad he would die since he doesn't have the stamina, but at least let him have a "I play when I want to play" game where he subs himself in and out whenever he wants. I hate sounding too confident but after abusing teams on our road trip without our leading scorer, I just can't help it. As for Lindsey, I have been impressed by his defense during that trip. I'm proud of that guy that I used to hate.
The Pistons shouldn't have a problem winning against the Bulls.They have been playing great lately.Especially their defense.The Bulls are won of the worst teams in the league right now so i predict the Pistons win by 20 or more.They will sweep the season series against the Bulls today. I also predict that Darko will get more playing time and score a career high for points today.Maybe double digits.
This one's a no-brainer. Anyone in their right state of mind would not pick Chicago to beat the Pistons, especially in Detroit. I'd say Pistons by 12.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting PyroManiac:</div><div class="quote_post">BigMemo, you forgot to call me "The Great One". Oh, I also edited your avatar a while ago, but I forgot to post it. Here: </div> Thanks, I really like it. Now all I need is the sig and I'll be all decked out for the end of the season and the playoffs! Seen that commercial about greatness? Two of them, Jason Kidd has one and Carmelo Anthony has one. That's what your post just reminded me of. You're dreaming, I'm not calling you that, it was a joke!
Ok the Bulls played pathetically... as always... no surprise here =(. It looks like the Pictons also made history with holding opponents under 70 points for 4 consecutive games. Congrats to them!
4 straight teams under 70 points. average margin of victory: 27.75 points. even though these teams haven't been great teams, that's not an easy feat.
I will say this, from the looks Darko is improving and certainly looks more confident. 4th straight game holding teams under 70...simply amazing.
These blowouts are getting sort of boring. No, I'm not complaining but come on, four in a row under 70? That's an NBA record, according to the Fox Sports Net people. Great game from everyone. How can there be any complaints when they share the ball like that? I think Chauncey Billups said it best: ?It just feels so good coming out and playing together on both ends of the court. Nobody cares who gets touches or nothing. It?s everybody just playing. It?s beautiful, man.?
