The Detroit Pistons are currently in the midst of their longest losing streak this season, trying to avoid a fifth straight loss. They will look to do that as they battle the Chicago Bulls at the United Center, which would conclude a three-game road trip before returning back home. The Pistons have only won one game on the road and that was in their season opener against the Indiana Pacers.
The Bulls, on the other hand, are dealing with struggles of their own as they try to avoid a fourth straight loss. Tonight’s game will mark the second of four matchups between these two teams this season. The last time they saw each other was on November 1 when the Pistons fell to the Bulls, 112-106. Zach LaVine finished that game with 26 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists while Andre Drummond had 25 points, 24 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, and 3 blocks.
A LITTLE BIT OF HISTORY:
The Pistons and the Bulls have met up a grand total of 298 times in the past as the Bulls won 146 games while the Pistons went on to achieve 152 victories.
INACTIVES:
Detroit Pistons:
-Reggie Jackson (hip; 5.0 PPG, 2.5 RPG, 4.0 APG, 36.4 FG%, 20.0 3P%)
-Tony Snell (hip; 9.2 PPG, 1.5 RPG, 1.8 APG, 46.2 FG%, 45.5 3P%)
-Khyri Thomas (foot; 0.5 PPG, 0.0 RPG, 0.0 APG)
-Tim Frazier (coach’s decision; 3.5 PPG, 1.0 RPG, 3.6 APG, 21.6 FG%, 23.1 3P%)
-Louis King (G-League)
-Jordan Bone (G-League; 0.0 PPG, 0.0 RPG, 0.0 APG, 0.0 FG%, 0.0 3P%)
-Sekou Doumbouya (G-League)
Chicago Bulls:
-Cristiano Felicio (wrist)
-Luke Kornet (nose; 4.0 PPG, 1.9 RPG, 0.6 APG, 34.9 FG%, 21.7 3P%)
-Otto Porter (foot; 11.2 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 1.6 APG, 41.7 FG%, 40.0 3P%)
-Max Strus (coach’s decision)
-Denzel Valentine (coach’s decision; 1.5 PPG, 1.0 RPG, 0.0 APG, 20.0 FG%, 33.3 3P%)
-Chandler Hutchison (shin; 8.3 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 1.1 APG, 42.9 FG%, 36.4 3P%)
-Adam Mokoka (G-League)
GAMETIME:
Both teams would play in a competitive manner in the first half as the Bulls shot forty-three percent from the field while the Pistons shot forty-two percent. The 7th pick in the 2017 draft Lauri Markkanen warmed up with 15 points, knocking down two three-pointers in the process. Shaquille Harrison helped out with nine points and seven rebounds while Wendell Carter earned himself eight points.
Zach LaVine had five points, which included a three-pointer early in the first period. Former Washington Wizards’ guard Tomas Satoransky was held scoreless in the twelve minutes that he played. Coby White played the most minutes off the bench as he had three free-throws and two treys.
On the other end of the court, Langston Galloway chalked up ten points, nine of them coming from beyond the arc. Both Blake Griffin and Luke Kennard earned themselves seven points each while Andre Drummond had six points. Drummond also recorded seven rebounds, three assists, two steals, and two blocks to go along with it. Chicago-native Derrick Rose played 14 minutes off the bench as he had nine points while the Bulls went into halftime with a 59-55 lead.
The Bulls would take over in the second half as they went on a 50-34 run, shooting forty-two percent from the field while their defense held the visiting team to twenty-two percent. Satoransky made up for his performance in the first half as they went six for seven, scoring 15 points. He had 3 three-pointers while Markkanen helped out with nine points.
On the other end of the court, both Griffin and Rose had nine points each while Drummond was held scoreless. Christian Wood had six points off the bench but it wouldn’t matter as the Bulls blew the Pistons out, 109-89. Lauri Markkanen finished the game with 24 points, six rebounds, one steal, and two blocks while Derrick Rose had 18 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, and one steal.
So…what’s next?
The Detroit Pistons will host Trae Young (27.0 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 8.7 APG, 44.7 FG%, 36.9 3P%) and the Atlanta Hawks (4-9) on Friday at 7:00 p.m. This will be the second of four times that these two teams will see each other this season. The last time they played each other was on October 24 when the Hawks handed the Pistons a 117-100 loss. During that contest, Trae Young scored 38 points, grabbed 7 rebounds, dished off 9 assists, and committed one steal while Derrick Rose settled for 27 points, one rebound, and 3 assists.
The Chicago Bulls will host Jimmy Butler (18.4 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 7.2 APG, 45.2 FG%, 24.0 3P%) and the Miami Heat (9-3) on Friday at 8:00 p.m. This will be the first of four times that these teams will see each other this season.