The Pistons (29-11) will in Chicago to take on the Bulls (15-23) at the United Center. Tip off is 8:30 pm est and can be viewed locally on TV20.

Bulls’ Snapshot
Home record: 7-11
Last game: 1/18 (Fri) L 119-111 Vs. Golden State
Last 10: 4-6
Last meeting: Dec 7th Bulls (98) @ Pistons (91)

If it weren’t for the New York Knicks the Bulls would hold the league’s biggest trainwreck title this season. After a heavy dose of success last season the Bulls were among the preseason favorites to represent the Eastern Conference in the NBA Finals. All those good young players a year better, but it hasn’t worked out that way. What happened with Tyrus Thomas?

Coach Killer, Ben Wallace, was said to be instrumental in marking out Scott Skiles as head coach (on Christmas eve no less). Now there’s a story on the 60 million dollar man and his big hair protege, Joakim Noah, getting into it in the Bulls locker room adding to the team discord. You think they’d like a mulligan on that signing?

Despite their many contretemps they have handled us twice this season. The Pistons need to man-up to keep from losing back-to-back games to 15 win teams, and we don’t want the Bulls becoming our 2005-06 Utah Jazz.
LET’S GO PISTONS!

[box score] The Pistons fell to the Kings for the second time this season giving Sacramento the season sweep. The rare road win for the Kings was made even more rare that it came at the Palace where the Pistons had only lost three games prior all season.

The Pistons looked lethargic, even after a couple days of rest. They allowed Sacramento to get in the paint and were slow to rotate on back-door cuts that the Kings have been running since the dawn of time.

It seemed as if in this game the two teams traded quarters. Unfortunately for the Pistons they got the odd numbered quarters leaving them short at the end.

The “Zoo Crew” were kept in their cages (whether it be because of poor play or Flip Saunders). To say the Kings bench outplayed ours could be misleading since Kevin Martin (24 pts), Mike Bibby (16 pts), and Ron Artest (18 pts) all came off the pine, but they outscored us 60-5 if you’re keeping track. The bench only managed a measly 5 points, all scored by Jason Maxiell (7 rbs, 2 blks). Jarvis Hayes continues to struggle with his shot going 0/5 in 10 minutes of play.

Ron Artest had fun with the crowd reciprocating their boos with kisses.

“I figured if they’re going to boo me, I’m going to love ‘em,” said Artest, who had seven points in the fourth quarter. “I love Detroit.”

The Pistons played decent to start the game. They got a double digit lead only to see it whittled down to 6 by the end of the first quarter. The second was bad news for the Pistons. They were outscored by 19, (33-19) while shooting a horrendous 7/21 from the field. They went into the half down 48-56.

The third quarter gave the Pistons hope. Chauncey Billups (10 ast, 8 rbs, 2 stls) scored 15 of his game high 28 in the quarter leading the charge. The Pistons outscored the Kings by 9 and took a one point lead into the 4th. Despite some poor play it was looking good for Detroit. Coming into the game the Pistons were 26-2 when leading after three quarters, and again, they’re at the Palace. But, it wasn’t to be. Sacramento made all the big shots down the stretch leaving them the Kings of our court.

Antonio Mcdyess contributed a 14 point 11 rebound double-double. Tayshuan pitched in with 15 points. Rip scored 24 with 5 assists but also had half of the Piston’s 10 turnovers.

The Pistons as a team shot very poorly from the stripe, 19/30 for 63.3%. Although Billups was his usual proficient self going 11/11.

ALSO SEE:

• ESPN: Artest’s late 3-pointer seals Pistons’ fate despite Billups’ 28
• Slam Dunk Central: Bench Scoring Proves Huge, Kings Beat Pistons