Essentials

Essentials

Game Preview: Detroit Pistons vs. Chicago Bulls

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Essentials

Date: Dec. 31, 2009

Time: 3:00 p.m.

Television: Fox Sports Detroit

Records

Detroit: 11-20

Chicago: 12-17

Probable starters

Detroit:

PG

SG

SF

PF

C

Rodney
Stuckey

Richard
Hamilton

Tayshaun
Prince

Jonas
Jerebko

Ben
Wallace

Chicago:

PG

SG

SF

PF

C

Derrick
Rose

Kirk
Hinrich

Luol
Deng

Taj
Gibson

Joakim
Noah

Las Vegas projection

Spread: Detroit –4

Over/under: 186

Score: Detroit wins, 95-91

Statistical projection

Detroit offensive rating: 103.8 (23rd)

Detroit defensive rating: 108.5 (21st)

Detroit pace: 88 (29th)

Chicago offensive rating: 98.7 (29th)

Chicago defensive rating: 105.3 (12th)

Chicago pace: 92 (22nd)

Score: Detroit wins, 105-104

Outlook

The Pistons are on an eight-game losing streak, and though they get a four-day-weekend to rest before their next game, it’s a trip to the Southwest Division-leading Dallas Mavericks. They follow that game with a trip to San Antonio.

Detroit really needs to come out strong this afternoon and win this game to carry some momentum into its mini-road trip. Otherwise, this losing streak is all but guaranteed to hit double-digits.