Game Preview: Chicago Bulls will need more offense against what has been a high-scoring Detroit attack so far

Here we go, game thread number two for you guys. If you’re around and have some thoughts during tonight’s game, this space is yours.

Game Info: Detroit Pistons (0-2) at Chicago Bulls (0-1), 8 p.m. on Fox Sports Detroit

Probable starters: DET – Rodney Stuckey, Rip Hamilton, Tayshaun Prince, Austin Daye, Ben Wallace; CHI – Derrick Rose, Keith Bogans, Luol Deng, Taj Gibson, Joakim Noah

Three things to watch:

1. I’m not saying the Pistons have more talent by any stretch, but Chicago, like Oklahoma City, is another good team that Detroit can do some things against defensively. The Bulls have no perimeter shooting other than bench player Kyle Korver, and he played just 15 minutes in their opener. That means when he’s not in the game, the Pistons perimeter defenders can cheat into the lane and sag off of Rose, Bogans and Deng from outside to help either on Rose drives or to help when Gibson, an improving post-up player who will be a tough matchup for Detroit, has the ball in the post. The Bulls shot just 43 percent in their first game, including 14 percent from three-point range. Their defense has improved, but they could struggle to score until Carlos Boozer returns. Rose scored 28 in the team’s opener, but needed 31 shots to do it. The Pistons would definitely take a similar points-to-shots ratio tonight.

2. Rose’s defense is shaky and Stuckey is coming off of arguably his best game ever as a Piston. Rose gave up 28 points on 8-of-15 shooting to Russell Westbrook in the Bulls’ first game. Expect Stuckey to build on his good first two games.

3. The Pistons have a huge bench advantage. That’s nothing new — they do boast more firepower on their bench than most teams, albeit expensive firepower. But the Bulls’ key reserves in their opener were Korver, Ronnie Brewer, Brian Scalabrine and C.J. Watson. Not much to like in that group, other than Korver’s three-point stroke and Brewer’s defense. The Pistons’ bench has scored 46 and 47 points respectively in two games this season. If they get that kind of bench production again, they’ll win this game. Chicago just doesn’t have the offense to keep pace with that.

Pregame reading:

• John Salley violates bro code with Scott Hastings on Deadspin
• Fox News Latino talks to Charlie V about the influence of Hispanic hoopers.
• The Big Lead has video of Rodney Stuckey’s sick crossover of Daequan Cook last night. I hope Daequan is OK after that.
• Danny Bonheim gives some thoughts on last night’s loss at Need4Sheed
• Brian Packey points out the Pistons had some poor possessions in the fourth before the final few minutes that cost them

Pregame reading if you want to be really annoyed:

I’ve had my issues with Monsieur Caputo in the past. (And I don’t think I’m the only one). There is plenty to criticize the Pistons about. To criticize John Kuester for not playing young guys based on Greg Monroe’s DNP-CDs is really dumb though.

"“And Monroe hasn’t played at all this season. No excuse for it. The seventh overall pick in the draft? Brutal thought process.”"

Pat, come on. He shot 40 percent in the preseason as a BIG MAN. He turned it over like twice a game. I want Monroe to play and succeed as much as anyone, but he’s just not good enough right now. I think he’ll get better practicing every day, watching the way that professional guys like Ben Wallace and Jason Maxiell play defense. If he’s getting 15 or so minutes a game by the end of the season, that’s a win to me. Also, did you not notice that young guys Austin Daye and Rodney Stuckey, who are viewed, whether we agree or not, as young franchise cornerstones, are both starting and playing quite a bit? That doesn’t qualify as “not playing young guys.” Kuester is playing young guys who have shown they are ready, and as much as I like Monroe and hope he’s really good, he hasn’t shown he’s ready just yet.

And I’m pretty sure Caputo referred to him as ‘Craig’ Monroe in the video.

On to the next one though. Terry Foster had this to say in his latest:

"“The man that could’ve been a key piece for a Pistons franchise turnaround showed up at The Palace Friday night, and definitely looked like savior.He was kind and respectful off the court, and a stone cold killer on it.”"

Wow. Sounds great. Who is this mystery man?

"Kevin Durant never had plans to come and play in Detroit, before he re-signed last summer with the Thunder, but is definitely the kind of player the Pistons need to earn wins in the standings, respect in the league, and enthusiasm among the fanbase."

To recap, the Pistons savior is a guy they never had a chance to draft, trade for or sign as a free agent? Perfect!

I can’t wait for the season to be a few weeks old so the guys who only write about the Pistons twice a year will finally be gone.