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The Detroit Pistons helped the Bulls pull out of their annual post-Derrick Rose slump last week thanks to a complete disappearing act in the second half. They take their three game winning streak to Chicago to give it another shot.
The Situation
Andre Drummond has jumped into the spotlight over the past couple weeks, particularly during the current winning streak. He's put up an eye-popping 21.7, 18.7 rebounds, 3.3 steals, and 2 blocks in 31.1 minutes per game. Per 36 that's...don't tell me. My heart can't take it.
He's still looking for his first 20-20 game after flirting with the mark in two of the past three games. It's going to happen at some point this season, which will make him only the sixth 20 year old in league history to accomplish the feat.
Drummond's not the only Piston pulling his weight over the past seven games where the Pistons have consistently played impressive basketball, winning five games during the stretch and climbing the Eastern Conference standings. Here's the player's performances over the stretch - Greg Monroe, Rodney Stuckey, Kyle Singler, Brandon Jennings, and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope have all been contributing. So basically everyone in the rotation except for one player. Enough has been said about him this week.
The Bulls seem to have life without Derrick Rose figured out well. Luol Deng has six straight games over 20 points, including a 37 point explosion over the Pelicans on Monday. Taj Gibson has averaged 21 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 blocks the past four games, while Joakim Noah and Carlos Boozer carried them in their blowout win against the Heat on Thursday.
Keys to the Game
Battle in the paint: Both teams have been carried by their big men. If either team's doesn't show up, they'll have trouble keeping up.
Brandon Jennings: His SWAG has been the Pistons' X-factor, particularly in crunch time.
Three pointers: Neither team is a great three point shooting team, but both struggle with their perimeter defense too. If one heats up, it could be the difference.
Question of the Game
Andre Drummond is now third in the league in Wins Produced with 4.8, just behind LeBron James and Chris Paul's 4.8. Can he keep his hot streak going to jump into the league lead today?