Pistons vs. Bulls preview: Detroit begins road trip already looking for revenge

4 min readOct 23, 2021

Pistons will need an answer for Zach LaVine if they want to best the Bulls

The Detroit Pistons play the Chicago Bulls for the second time in as many games tonight. Detroit is in the United Center looking to avenge its season-opening 94–88 loss. For the Bulls, this is already game №3, with the team beating the New Orleans Pelicans 128–112. The good news for the Pistons is that the Bulls will be on a back-to-back. The bad news is, Chicago seemed to have figured something out against the Pelicans.

Game Vitals
When: 8 p.m. ET
Where: United Center, Chicago, Illinois
Watch: Ball Sports Detroit Plus
Odds: Pistons +10

Analysis
There was some things to like and some things to be concerned about in the Pistons’ game-one defeat. But also, it’s only one game so does it really mean anything? As it stands, Saddiq Bey, Isaiah Stewart and Jerami Grant came through that game delivering what you expected, and in some cases, clearly exceeding expectations.

The Pistons starting backcourt? Not so much. Killian Hayes struggled offensively and scored zero points. Cory Joseph had three. The two combined for 1-of-12 from the floor and just four assists.

The team as a whole also struggled to connect from deep, despite that being an offseason priority. Outside of a solid 3-of-5 showing from Grant, the team was 3-of-23 from deep. You have to imagine (or hope) that Bey, Frank Jackson, and Kelly Olynyk won’t go 1-of-13 combined tonight.

The Bulls, meanwhile, seemed to have figured something out against the Pelicans. Then again … it was the Pelicans, and they seem like a right disaster. Chicago shot 52% from the floor and 50% from deep against the Pels. The team was led by the always dangerous Zach LaVine with 32 points. New addition DeMar DeRozan wasn’t far behind with 26.

Also, don’t overlook the kind of chaos Alex Caruso is able to wreak in big minutes off the bench. Caruso might not be the flashiest signing of a Chicago’s past year with Nikola Vucevic, Lonzo Ball and DeRozan being added to the lineup. But Caruso’s defense will be vital to Chicago’s potential success. In 28 minutes against the Pelicans, he scored 9 points and was a team-high +22.

Projected Lineups
Detroit Pistons (0–1)
Killian Hayes, Frank Jackson, Saddiq Bey, Jerami Grant, Isaiah Stewart

Chicago Bulls (2–0)
Lonzo Ball, DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine, Patrick Williams, Nikola Vucevic

Question of the Game
Where will the Bulls finish in the East this year?

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New Orleans Pelicans: Bright spots in the blowout loss to the Bulls
It was an ugly first half for the Pelicans, who do not look comfortable in the half court offense without star Zion Williamson.

This was to be expected, so don’t panic. This team was built around Zion, so without him, the offense simply doesn’t work.

But there are some positive signs that will change when he returns. Even though the New Orleans Pelicans were blown out, there were some bright spots.

New Orleans Pelicans: The shooting has improved
We spent a good deal of the offseason wondering if the Pelicans had improved their shooting and so far the answer is yes.

The Pels shot 51 percent from long range vs. the Bulls after shooting 43 percent in the opening night loss to the 76ers.

As I said earlier, the offense is not going to function well in the half court without Zion, as his gravity is what sets off the action and opens space for shooters.

But it’s a good sign that the Pelicans are knocking down shots without their star, as those shots are going to be a lot more open when he returns.

I know fans aren’t happy about the 0–2 start, but the Pelicans hot shooting is a good sign that this team will turn it around.

Pistons vs. Bulls preview: Detroit begins road trip already looking for revenge

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