Pistons vs. Bulls preview: A win sorely needed, a roster simply sore

After a beclowning at the hands of the Boston Celtics, the Detroit Pistons get right back at it against the Chicago Bulls at home. In theory, this is a respite from a tough part of the December schedule but there are no easy games for this team.

Not even a Chicago Bulls team that is under-performing even more than the Pistons playing for a coach they seem to want to throw off the side of the boat. Reggie Jackson is still out (but may be back in a post-Christmas miracle), Blake Griffin will probably play but doesn’t look like the Griffin of last year and Luke Kennard is a huge question mark as he deals with a balky knee.

Game Vitals

When: 7 p.m. EST
Where: Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, Michigan
Watch: Fox Sports Detroit-Plus

Game Analysis

The Pistons are sad but the Bulls are a straight mess. They have the league’s worst offense and perhaps the unhappiest roster in the NBA. This isn’t what was expected for a team that had their sights set on the playoffs.

The Bulls are a poor two-point shooting team, a poor 3-point shooting team, a poor free-throw shooting team, doesn’t rebound, doesn’t block shots, turns it over too much and doesn’t move the ball. They shoot tons of two-point shots and those looks are typically contested.

Chicago Bulls fans hate Jim Boylen to a degree only matched by the Bulls’ players. Lauri Markkanen has significantly regressed and Zach LaVine has significantly been what Zach LaVine has been on the defensive end.

It ain’t pretty.

Still, do I think that the Pistons will win? Hell no. I have no reason to have any confidence in this team — especially with Griffin and Kennard missing yesterday’s contest against the Boston Celtics.

Hypothetically, that means they are well-rested and ready to ball out tonight. But, again, I have seen zero evidence to believe Griffin is going to be right at all this season.

This is not a game preview full of Christmas cheer.

Humbug.

OK, I’ll be a little hopeful. I want to see a huge Derrick Rose game against his former team. He’s been playing very well and plays up to the level of the spotlight. It’d be a fun story and my standards are quite low at this point.

Projected Starters

Detroit

Bruce Brown, Luke Kennard, Tony Snell, Blake Griffin, Andre Drummond

Chicago

Tomas Satoransky, Kris Dunn, Zach LaVine, Lauri Markkanen, Wendell Carter

Question of the Game

Why?