The Detroit Pistons play the Chicago Bulls for the second time in as many games tonight. Detroit is in the United Center looking to avenge its season-opening 94-88 loss. For the Bulls, this is already game No. 3, with the team beating the New Orleans Pelicans 128-112. The good news for the Pistons is that the Bulls will be on a back-to-back. The bad news is, Chicago seemed to have figured something out against the Pelicans.
Game Vitals
When: 8 p.m. ET
Where: United Center, Chicago, Illinois
Watch: Ball Sports Detroit Plus
Odds: Pistons +10
Analysis
There was some things to like and some things to be concerned about in the Pistons’ game-one defeat. But also, it’s only one game so does it really mean anything? As it stands, Saddiq Bey, Isaiah Stewart and Jerami Grant came through that game delivering what you expected, and in some cases, clearly exceeding expectations.
The Pistons starting backcourt? Not so much. Killian Hayes struggled offensively and scored zero points. Cory Joseph had three. The two combined for 1-of-12 from the floor and just four assists.
The team as a whole also struggled to connect from deep, despite that being an offseason priority. Outside of a solid 3-of-5 showing from Grant, the team was 3-of-23 from deep. You have to imagine (or hope) that Bey, Frank Jackson, and Kelly Olynyk won’t go 1-of-13 combined tonight.
The Bulls, meanwhile, seemed to have figured something out against the Pelicans. Then again … it was the Pelicans, and they seem like a right disaster. Chicago shot 52% from the floor and 50% from deep against the Pels. The team was led by the always dangerous Zach LaVine with 32 points. New addition DeMar DeRozan wasn’t far behind with 26.
Also, don’t overlook the kind of chaos Alex Caruso is able to wreak in big minutes off the bench. Caruso might not be the flashiest signing of a Chicago’s past year with Nikola Vucevic, Lonzo Ball and DeRozan being added to the lineup. But Caruso’s defense will be vital to Chicago’s potential success. In 28 minutes against the Pelicans, he scored 9 points and was a team-high +22.
Projected Lineups
Detroit Pistons (0-1)
Killian Hayes, Frank Jackson, Saddiq Bey, Jerami Grant, Isaiah Stewart
Chicago Bulls (2-0)
Lonzo Ball, DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine, Patrick Williams, Nikola Vucevic
Question of the Game
Where will the Bulls finish in the East this year?