G7 ~ Pistons (2-4) @ Bulls (5-2) ~ 8:00 PM EST

[whitehops]

Alright, the pistons are coming off a close loss to the Jazz and will be playing the second game of a back to back. The bulls are coming off of a loss to the Celtics on Saturday night.

don't get too caught up with the bulls 5-2 record, their wins have come vs. the knicks, t-wolves, magic, bucks and sixers.

believe it or not, we have a (slightly) better defense than the bulls so far! it's offensively where the bulls look much improved. between the acquisitions of gasol, brooks, mirotic and 'McBuckets' and the progress of jimmy butler they have the league's 4th best offense so far this year.

whitehops' stat of the day: the bulls are dead last in the league in defensive rebounding. this may have something to do with noah missing a few games, or maybe because they've played a bunch of teams that are good at offensive rebounding but look forward to moose and dre having a big night on the offensive glass!


rose, as always, is a game-time decision to play but captain kirk has done a decent job as the starter too so either way it should be a good game. go pistons!

[aad]

I hope we come out strong and finish strong we really need to have a good road trip lets pick up 3 of these wins starting with this one

[engelbert321]

First things first, our bigs have to beat theirs. And second, Jimmy Butler is much improved this season and has to be contained by Smith/Butler/KCP. If I see Singler on Jimmy Butler, I'm going to lose it.

[DetroitPistons]

I think we have a chance, especially if Rose is out. A road win against the Bulls would be huge but I don't have much overall confidence in this road trip. OKC is the easiest game for obvious reasons but I could see losing all 4. I'm not trying to be pessimistic but we haven't even been able to get a comfortable lead at home against some of the worst teams in the league. I could easily see 1-3 or 0-4 roadtrip, which would be extremely demoralizing. I seriously hope I'm wrong though.

[pylb]

Our rebounding has been really bad (more here if for some reason you want to read about it), and it's not just because of Noah missing games. He's also coming off knee surgery, usually starts seasons slow, is playing a new position (since Pau is at C). But even our wings, Pau and Taj Gibson haven't been great on the boards. The only reason we have a decent record is we have been playing bad teams. This should be a really interesting matchup against your front court.

Butler is on a hot streak right now (or he might be much improved, but it's a small sample). But he's still not an outside threat, he's getting his points attacking the rim and in the post.

I hope we have an entertaining, injury-free game. How's DJ Augustin been for you guys ? Jodie Meeks is still out, right ?

[Han Solo]

Our rebounding has been really bad (more here if for some reason you want to read about it), and it's not just because of Noah missing games. He's also coming off knee surgery, usually starts seasons slow, is playing a new position (since Pau is at C). But even our wings, Pau and Taj Gibson haven't been great on the boards. The only reason we have a decent record is we have been playing bad teams. This should be a really interesting matchup against your front court.

Butler is on a hot streak right now (or he might be much improved, but it's a small sample). But he's still not an outside threat, he's getting his points attacking the rim and in the post.

I hope we have an entertaining, injury-free game. How's DJ Augustin been for you guys ? Jodie Meeks is still out, right ?

Yeah, Meeks is still out.. We lack outside scoring so far.. It's hurt us in every game but 1 I believe.. Team is still learning how to play right.. Jennings believe it or not looks pretty good.. Drummond/Monroe are who they are.. We're still weak at SG and SF.. Caldwell-Pope has shown flashes but is really inconsistent so far.. If he's on though we are decent.. Should be a fun game..

[Han Solo]

Oh and Josh Smith still sucks

[Ghost]

Just hopeful that the Pistons play well and we battle with the Bulls. I really like their team this year and think they are a real contender.

[Maker_84]

o god, can anyone guess how bad the Pistons get blown out by tonight? Im gonna say they lose by 17

[MotownMadness]

This will probably be one of those games where its close up unto mid 3rd qtr and then we get blew out the rest of the way too lose by 20.

[Manocad]

This will probably be one of those games where its close up unto mid 3rd qtr and then we get blew out the rest of the way too lose by 20.

I'd go with this prediction.

[RSCD3_]

So far among players who have started here is the +/- per 100 possessions

( points scored with them on the floor - points scored without them on the floor ) per 100 possessions

Through six games

1. Monroe +14.0
2. Jennings +7.0
3. Drummond +0.0
4. KCP -3.3
5. Singler -6.2
6. Smith -23.3




Sent from my iPhone using RealGM Forums

[whitehops]

Our rebounding has been really bad (more here if for some reason you want to read about it), and it's not just because of Noah missing games. He's also coming off knee surgery, usually starts seasons slow, is playing a new position (since Pau is at C). But even our wings, Pau and Taj Gibson haven't been great on the boards. The only reason we have a decent record is we have been playing bad teams. This should be a really interesting matchup against your front court.

Butler is on a hot streak right now (or he might be much improved, but it's a small sample). But he's still not an outside threat, he's getting his points attacking the rim and in the post.

I hope we have an entertaining, injury-free game. How's DJ Augustin been for you guys ? Jodie Meeks is still out, right ?

augustin did a good job the first few games, SVG benched Jennings and augustin pretty much carried the team with Monroe out and Drummond/Jennings not playing much. since then he's been alright as a backup but the offense kind of struggles when he's running the point. meeks is out, probably will be for another month or so.

I think this could be a great matchup. right now the bulls are a better team but they both have big frontcourts, I think butler and KCP are similar players in that they are feisty defenders and raw offensively, etc.

I hope rose plays and I hope it's a great game to watch.

[Southern Piston]

I'm not gonna be able to watch until 5am but I say we win by 6 in a nail better, and optimism will continue

[DCintheD]

not looking forward to this road trip...

[Neptune]

I got us winning this game. Watch out for a big game from Josh Smith and Drummond!

[epheisey]

6. Smith -23.3

But his defense is worth it.

[epheisey]

This was supposed to be the first game against a proven opponent (at least in my book), but with their injuries, it will really depend on who ends up playing and sitting for the Bulls. If either of Rose/Noah play, this game could be a good gauge of where we're at.

On paper, and my projection, this should be a loss. But bad teams beat good teams on occasion, and this is as good a chance as any to get one.

[theBigLip]

We are not in Chicago's league. Their defense will crush us, unless somehow we shoot great from 3. But we haven't really shown that we can do that. I think we get beat 99-86.

[kurtis48239]

Honestly I dont know how to gauge this game,if dre/moose/smith/kcp come out energetic and are ready to hustle and play D,and if our bench steps it up,we have a shot.