Point Spreads » NBA Basketball » Bulls/Pistons Conference Semifinal Predictions

Bulls/Pistons Conference Semifinal Predictions

by Thomas Jensen on Tuesday, May 8th, 2007

Bulls/Pistons Conference Semifinal Predictions The number one seed Detroit Pistons went up 2-0 in this Eastern Conference semifinals series against the fifth-seeded Chicago Bulls. After the way game one went, many expected the Bulls to come storming back. That wasn't the case. I can assure you that Chicago can't wait to be playing at home come Thursday. Sportbet.com has the Chicago Bulls a 2.5 point favorite in the next game.

Chauncey Billups and Richard Hamilton both scored 20 points as Detroit embarrassed the Bulls 95-69 in game one. Rasheed Wallace and Tayshaun Prince racked up 13 a piece to show once again the balance that could be a problem for Chicago in this series. In game two Tayshaun Prince, Chris Webber, and Richard Hamilton all topped 20 points to give the Pistons another double digit win.

Many expected Detroit’s 4-0 round one sweep over Orlando, but no one expected a 26-point slaughter over the Bulls to kick off the second round and certainly not another blowout win in game two. The Pistons did it with defense limiting Ben Gordon to seven points on just 2-of-9 shooting in game one and just 13 points on 3-of-7 shooting in game two. Gordon averaged 25.5 points per game in the Bulls' first round series with the Miami Heat. Luol Deng and Kirk Hinrich have not been able to do enough to pick up the slack.

Build your bankroll in the NBA Playoffs with Priceless Picks from expert handicapper Dave Price.

We fully expected a close game two considering that Detroit has won four straight game number two’s in the postseason and Chicago has won four of its last five. It’s no longer the Bad Boys versus Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen, but despite there being a new era of players, this rivalry will always have bad blood. The 21st Century Bad Boys appear to be a cinch to take this series on paper.

The Pistons have reached the postseason six years in a row and were very hungry coming into this year’s playoffs having lost in the Eastern Conference Finals in 2006. Now with Miami out of the picture, the path is seemingly clear for Detroit. Detroit is the number one seed for the third time in four years and owns the homecourt advantage throughout the playoffs. The Pistons are hoping that this homecourt will get them back to the East finals for the fourth straight year.

The Bulls' attempt to match up with Detroit by signing former Pistons star Ben Wallace. He was a major defensive force in the Bulls’ surprising 4-0 sweep over the reigning NBA champs. Wallace is a four time All-Star who helped lead the Pistons to a title in 2004 and now he has helped the Bulls get into the second round for the first time since 1998. Will Wallace be a big enough force to help Chicago come back in game three and lead the Bulls past his former team in the Eastern Conference semis? My best guess is that Detroit will ultimately be too much for the Bulls in this series.

This was my opinion before the series began, but it is still apparent to me that Chicago continues to bridge the gap between itself and the Pistons in the Central Division as its young players gain experience. Perhaps these Bulls will be able to get past the Pistons in the near future to reach the NBA Finals just as its predecessors did. Unfortunately for Chicago, the future is not now.

Point-Spreads.com contributing sports expert Dave Price has one thing and one thing only in mind and that is winning. If you have been looking for a handicapper who wins consistently across all sports, posts detailed analysis with each selection, and will do everything in his power to help you win then join the Priceless Picks team today.