Keys to Chicago Bulls’ quest for the second straight win as they host the Detroit Pistons

Coming off an impressive OT win vs. the Bucks, the Bulls look to pick up their 16th win against the Pistons.

© Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

The Chicago Bulls (15-19) host the Detroit Pistons (9-28) tonight, coming off a 119-113 overtime win against the Milwaukee Bucks in on Wednesday—DeMar DeRozan led the Bulls with 42 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists, and Zach LaVine had 24 points and four assists.

Detroit Pistons (9-28) vs. Chicago Bulls (15-19)

Friday, December 30 – 08:00 PM ET at United Center

Detroit Pistons

• Points Per Game: 111.4 (22nd of 30)
• Opponent Points Per Game: 118.5 (29th of 30)
• Bench Points Per Game: 39.4 (5th of 30)
• Pace: 99.4 (14th of 30)
• Offensive Rating: 111.2 (24th of 30)
• Defensive Rating: 118.2 (29th of 30)
• Net Rating: -7 (29th of 30)

Chicago Bulls

• Points Per Game: 113.6 (16th of 30)
• Opponent Points Per Game: 115 (18th of 30)
• Bench Points Per Game: 32.3 (22nd of 30)
• Pace: 100.1 (11th of 30)
• Offensive Rating: 112.1 (23rd of 30)
• Defensive Rating: 113.6 (15th of 30)
• Net Rating: -1.5 (23rd of 30)

Contain Alec Burks and Saddiq Bey

The Pistons showed signs of life when they snapped their six-game losing streak with an impressive 121-101 home win against the Orlando Magic on Wednesday.

The Detroit reserves have been one of the team’s few bright spots this season, as they rank fifth in the NBA averaging 39.4 points per game. The second unit took over on Wednesday, led by Alec Burks and Saddiq Bey, who scored a combined 60 points off the bench.

Burks had a season-high 32 points on 10-of-11 shooting against the Magic, drilling six of his seven three-point attempts, while Bey tied his season-high with 28 points. The 23-year-old forward has scored at least 20 points three times this month and will look to do the same tonight. If the Bulls can prevent the two from going off, their chances of picking up their 16th win on the season increase dramatically.

Don’t underestimate the Pistons

The Bulls have been inconsistent this season, and 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 lacked urgency, particularly in the second half when they allowed the Rockets to score 23 points in just under five minutes to take an 18-point lead in the third quarter.

“That’s unacceptable,” DeRozan said after the game. “That just comes with defensive effort, playing with toughness and a sense of urgency.”

The key to the Bulls’ comeback against the Bucks was great defense, as they gave up just one basket in the final 3:18. It helped that the Bucks failed to capitalize on good looks that could have changed the outcome of the game. The Bulls limited the Bucks to 9-of-44 (20.5 percent) from beyond the arc, and they must replicate this defensive effort level against the Pistons.

Noteworthy

• Chicago won the last meeting, 114-108 on March 9; DeRozan led the Bulls with 36 points.

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

• Pistons’ projected lineup: Stewart, Duren, Bogdanovic, Joseph, Ivey

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

• Pistons' Injury Report: Cade Cunningham (left shin), Killian Hayes (suspension), Hamidou Diallo (suspension), and Isaiah Livers (right shoulder sprain) are out for the Pistons; Marvin Bagley (non-COVID illness) is questionable

• Bulls' Injury Report: Lonzo Ball is still out with a left knee injury; Alex Caruso (concussion) and Javonte Green (right knee soreness) are probable; Coby White (left leg), Patrick Williams (left clavicle contusion), and Derrick Jones Jr. (left ankle sprain) are questionable