Pistons at Bulls preview: Pistons visit the battered Bulls in Chicago

Game tips at 7:00 p.m. EDT

Detroit Pistons: 24-49 (9-26 road)
Chicago Bulls: 39-32 (20-16 home)
Detroit Pistons tickets

The Situation

Andre Drummond was absolutely fantastic in his return from a back injury that had sidelined him since early February. He quickly reminded all how sorely he was missed, putting up 17 points in 18 minutes, 4 rebounds, 2 blocks, and 2 steals.

Drummond provided plenty of slam dunk shots and even a nifty little hook in isolation on the post. And if you've been spending the past couple of months dreaming of what a Calderon to Drummond pick and roll would look like, it's beautiful.

That was the good news. The bad was that the Raptors couldn't miss in the third quarter, especially Rudy Gay. He had 19 points in the third, leading to a 36-15 demolition.

The Bulls come in without Derrick Rose and Rip Hamilton, and with Joakim Noah and Marco Belinelli as game-time decisions. The two didn't play last night against the Mavs.

Despite the injuries, the Bulls haven't missed a beat, mostly due to the fact that it's led to more playing time for two of their most effective players, Nate Robinson and Jimmy Butler.

The Pistons are a bit shorthanded as well. Brandon Knight reinjured his ankle against Toronto, and both Will Bynum and Charlie Villanueva are questionable.

Keys to the Game

Frountcourt matchup: Both times these teams have met this season, the Bulls have dominated the glass. Noah in particular has destroyed the Pistons in both games - if he plays, keep a body on him.

Robinson and Butler: In the past three games that Belinelli has been out, Robinson has averaged 20 points and 6 assists and Butler has 14 points, 6 rebounds, and four assists. Both also played well in their previous meeting against the Pistons.

Greg Monroe: Moose has really struggled scoring the past three games, averaging just 9 points per game on 28 percent shooting. He's played well in other aspects of the game, providing 11 rebounds, 4.7 assists with only 2 turnovers. But with Drummond allowing him to be matched up against the defensively challenged Carlos Boozer, it'd be nice to see him take advantage.

Question of the Game

A scoring wing has been talked about quite a bit as a potential free agency target. What do you think of Nate Robinson as a low-cost target?