PREMIUM
Rogers' 10* NBA Game of the Day >> Coming off 7-1 Sunday!
(NBA) Detroit vs. Chicago,
Point Spread: 3.00 | -115.00 Detroit (Away)
Result: Loss
Point Spread: 3.00 | -115.00 Detroit (Away)
Result: Loss
The 14-14 Detroit Pistons are in Chicago to take on the 13-13 Bulls. The visiting Pistons are off back-to-back blowout losses by a combined 29 points, while the Bulls have lost three consecutive games and six of the past eight.
Detroit: Pistons lead the Eastern Conference in scoring defense, allowing an average of 96.9 PPG (3rd-best in the NBA) but they surrendered 113.5 PPG in the last two losses. "We are not playing defense," PG Reggie Jackson told reporters. "That is what it comes down to. We have been a pretty good defensive team throughout the season. We just haven't been good as of late. We got to figure it out and find a way to string together stops and compete for 48 minutes; understand that there are ups and downs in games and find a way to get wins." Jackson (14.2 & 4.8 APG) was one of the bright spots on Saturday with 19 points and 10 assists in his first double-double since returning to the lineup on Dec. 4. Jackson is one of seven players averaging in double figures, led by SF Harris (16.1 & 4.9) plus center Drummond (14.2 & 14.8). Backup PPG Ish Smith averages 9.4 & 5.9 APG.
Chicago: The Bulls' recent lethargy has prompted critics to ask whether players have tuned out second-year coach Fred Hoiberg. However, Bulls forward Taj Gibson said he and his teammates -- not Hoiberg -- deserved blame for the recent skid. "We're definitely buying into what Fred is telling us, but at the same time Fred isn't on the court," Gibson told the Chicago Sun-Times. "People want to forget that sometimes. We have to do a better job. He's coaching his tail off, and it's hard when you're trying everything possible. You've got to look at the roster. We've got a lot of young guys, man, and not that much experience." Butler (24.8-6.7-4.2) is a bonafide All-Star but Wade (19.5-4.2-3.6) is showing his age and Rondo (8.0-6.4-6.9) is no longer a dominant player.
The set-up: The bottom line is these "new-look" Bulls, minus Rose, Gasol and Noah, are NOT a better team than last year. This game marks the second of four meetings between the teams. On Dec. 6 in Auburn Hills, Mich, the Pistons pulled away for a 102-91 win over the Bulls thanks to a team-high 22 points from forward Tobias Harris. The Pistons have fared better during the past few weeks away from home, winning five of their past seven road games.Take the points and make Detroit a 10* play.
Detroit: Pistons lead the Eastern Conference in scoring defense, allowing an average of 96.9 PPG (3rd-best in the NBA) but they surrendered 113.5 PPG in the last two losses. "We are not playing defense," PG Reggie Jackson told reporters. "That is what it comes down to. We have been a pretty good defensive team throughout the season. We just haven't been good as of late. We got to figure it out and find a way to string together stops and compete for 48 minutes; understand that there are ups and downs in games and find a way to get wins." Jackson (14.2 & 4.8 APG) was one of the bright spots on Saturday with 19 points and 10 assists in his first double-double since returning to the lineup on Dec. 4. Jackson is one of seven players averaging in double figures, led by SF Harris (16.1 & 4.9) plus center Drummond (14.2 & 14.8). Backup PPG Ish Smith averages 9.4 & 5.9 APG.
Chicago: The Bulls' recent lethargy has prompted critics to ask whether players have tuned out second-year coach Fred Hoiberg. However, Bulls forward Taj Gibson said he and his teammates -- not Hoiberg -- deserved blame for the recent skid. "We're definitely buying into what Fred is telling us, but at the same time Fred isn't on the court," Gibson told the Chicago Sun-Times. "People want to forget that sometimes. We have to do a better job. He's coaching his tail off, and it's hard when you're trying everything possible. You've got to look at the roster. We've got a lot of young guys, man, and not that much experience." Butler (24.8-6.7-4.2) is a bonafide All-Star but Wade (19.5-4.2-3.6) is showing his age and Rondo (8.0-6.4-6.9) is no longer a dominant player.
The set-up: The bottom line is these "new-look" Bulls, minus Rose, Gasol and Noah, are NOT a better team than last year. This game marks the second of four meetings between the teams. On Dec. 6 in Auburn Hills, Mich, the Pistons pulled away for a 102-91 win over the Bulls thanks to a team-high 22 points from forward Tobias Harris. The Pistons have fared better during the past few weeks away from home, winning five of their past seven road games.Take the points and make Detroit a 10* play.
