The Situation

The Bulls and Pistons, once of the best, hardest-fought rivalries in the NBA. Nowadays, not so much, at least for everybody else.

But for Pistons fans? I know I'm not alone in saying that regardless of how any given season goes, I want the Pistons to pound teams like the Lakers, the Celtics, and of course, the Bulls.

The Bulls are treading water right now, coming into tonight's game 9-8, but that's not all that surprising. They remain without former MVP Derrick Rose, and Richard Hamilton won't be available either - but the Bulls have enough to keep it around .500 until they're back at full strength.

Without Rose, the Bulls obviously lack some significant star power and scoring punch. But, they have a bunch of mediocre to better-than-average guys who have performed as expected, leading to just-better-than-average 9 wins to 8 losses. Like most nights, the Pistons find themselves as significant underdogs, even at home.

Keys to the Game

Contain Luol Deng. Wait, what? Yep, seriously. Deng has averaged better than 21 ppg over the last 4, while playing over 40 minutes per game. This is why we pay you the big bucks, Tayshaun.

Don't get down by 20+. The Pistons mounted a nice comeback in the fourth against the Warriors, but it was too little, too late.

Keep Noah and Boozer off the glass. Yes, Carlos Boozer. That Carlos Boozer. He's been rebounding well.

Bull + Moose = profit. Do it, Larry.

Question of the Game?

It's Friday, Friday. How are you getting down on Friday?