Keys to Chicago Bulls’ game vs. Detroit Pistons in Paris

DeMar DeRozan and the Bulls will try to win their second straight game when they play the Pistons in France.

The Chicago Bulls (20-24) play the Detroit Pistons (12-35) in Paris today. The Bulls are coming off an impressive 132-118 home win against the Warriors on Sunday. Nikola Vucevic had a monster game with 43 points, 13 rebounds, four assists and four steals, and Zach LaVine added 27 points, nine rebounds and six assists in the victory.

Chicago Bulls (20-24) vs. Detroit Pistons (12-35)

Thursday, January 19 – 03:00 PM ET at Accor Arena in Paris, France

Chicago Bulls

• Points Per Game: 114.5 (13th of 30)
• Opponent Points Per Game: 115.2 (18th of 30)
• Bench Points Per Game: 31 (23rd of 30)
• Pace: 99.6 (14th of 30)
• Offensive Rating: 113.6 (17th of 30)
• Defensive Rating: 114.2 (16th of 30)
• Net Rating: -0.6 (20th of 30)

Detroit Pistons

• Points Per Game: 112.1 (24th of 30)
• Opponent Points Per Game: 119.5 (29th of 30)
• Bench Points Per Game: 40.1 (4th of 30)
• Pace: 99.8 (13th of 30)
• Offensive Rating: 111.6 (25th of 30)
• Defensive Rating: 119 (29th of 30)
• Net Rating: -7.4 (28th of 30)

Contain Saddiq Bey

Saddiq Bey had 21 points and six rebounds in Sunday’s 117-104 home loss against the Knicks. The 23-year-old forward has scored at least 20 points in his last three games, and will look to do the same today.

Bey is averaging 15 points and 4.7 rebounds over 29.8 minutes in his last 10 games, but the Bulls limited him to 10 points on 4-of-13 shooting and 2-of-7 from three-point range with four rebounds in 31 minutes in a 132-118 home win in the last meeting between these two teams on December 30.

If the Bulls can prevent Bey from going off again, their chances of picking up their 21st win on the season increase dramatically.

Don’t underestimate the Pistons

The Bulls have been very inconsistent this season. A big part of the problem has been that they play to the level of their opponents.

Chicago beat Miami, Atlanta, and New York on the road, before losing 133-118 against Houston at home. They also have home wins against Milwaukee, Brooklyn, and Golden State, a road loss against a depleted Wizards team and a 124-110 loss against Oklahoma City at the United Center.

The Bulls must limit the Pistons from beyond the arc and replicate the intensity and focus at both ends of the court, similar to what they displayed against some of the best teams in the East.

Noteworthy

• The Bulls won the last meeting, 132-118 on December 30. LaVine led the Bulls with 43 points.

• The Bulls are 10-0 in the last 10 matchups against the Pistons.

• Bulls’ projected lineup: Vucevic, Williams, LaVine, DeRozan, Dosunmu

• Pistons’ projected lineup: Stewart, Livers, Bey, Ivey, Hayes

• Bulls’ Injury Report: Lonzo Ball is out with a left knee injury. Javonte Green (right knee soreness) will also miss this game.

• Pistons’ Injury Report: Cade Cunningham (left shin) and Marvin Bagley (two broken fingers on his right hand) are out. Hamidou Diallo (right calf soreness) is probable. Cory Joseph (right knee soreness), Nerlens Noel (left foot soreness), and Jalen Duren (right ankle soreness) are listed as questionable.