http://64.246.64.33/merge/tsnform.aspx? ... v11588.htmDetroit Pistons (6-11) at Chicago Bulls (6-9), 8 p.m.
A pair of struggling Central Division teams hook up in the Windy City Wednesday as the Chicago Bulls play host to the Detroit Pistons. The game figures to serve as Ben Gordon's homecoming but a sprained ankle suffered by Detroit's high scoring guard may derail that. Gordon, the third overall pick in the 2004 NBA Draft by Chicago, led the Bulls in scoring over the past four seasons before signing a five-year, $50-plus million dollar deal with the Pistons this offseason. The sharp-shooter, who is averaging a team-high 19.8 points, has missed Detroit's last two games but practiced Monday and is listed as questionable. "It's feeling pretty good," Gordon told the Pistons' Web site. "If it continues to progress the way it has been, hopefully I'll be able to play on Wednesday." On the floor, Chicago is coming off a disastrous 1-5 road trip. Milwaukee's Andrew Bogut made sure the Bulls stayed winless on their trek by sparkling in his return from a leg injury with 22 points and 15 rebounds, as the Bucks edged the Bulls, 99-97, on Monday. John Salmons had 23 points to lead the Bulls, who play three of their next four games in the Second City, where they are 4-1 on the year. Luol Deng finished with 22 points and 14 rebounds, while Joakim Noah ended with 16 points and 17 boards.
Derrick Rose had 19 points in defeat. Salmons hit a three-pointer with 14.7 seconds left to get the Bulls within one, but rookie star Brandon Jennings countered with a pair of free throws for a 98-95 edge with 13.2 ticks left. The Bucks then let Salmons go in uncontested for a jam with 8.6 seconds to go before Charlie Bell sank 1-of-2 attempts from the charity stripe. Rose then passed up a possible tying shot with a pass to Brad Miller, but Miller's jumper from right of the foul line came up short at the buzzer. "I just going high-screen roll and try to let Derrick create because he was doing a good job off the dribble," said Bulls coach Vinny Del Negro about the final play. "If the three presented itself with Brad, shoot it. If not, Derrick (would) attack the rim. I thought Brad had a decent shot.
The Pistons, meanwhile, snapped an ugly, seven-game skid on Sunday when Rodney Stuckey scored 23 points and dished out eight assists, as Detroit earned a 94-88 win over the Atlanta Hawks at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Will Bynum donated 19 points off the bench, while Charlie Villanueva went for 13 points and six rebounds for Detroit. Villanueva left early in the fourth quarter with a broken nose, however, and is listed as questionable for tonight. "Good win," Pistons head coach John Kuester said. "You're playing one of the premier teams in the East. Atlanta is outstanding, well-coached, outstanding athletes. Our guys came in and were focused, understood that we'd been in a tough (injury) situation but we didn't lose focus in what we wanted to accomplish during the period." Ben Wallace turned in a solid performance with a game-best 18 rebounds and 10 points. Jonas Jerebko finished with 10 points and 11 boards. The Bulls have dominated Detroit in Chicago recently, winning six straight in the series at the United Center.
