The Chicago Bulls look to bounce back from their embarrassing 69-95 Game-One loss to the Detroit Pistons Saturday night in Game-One of the Eastern Conference semifinals in the Palace at Auburn Hills. Bulls coach Scott Skiles thinks his team can rebound tonight from their game-one setback.
Oddsmakers at mega sportsbook BetUS.com, expecting tighter play in tonight’s Game-Two, have installed the Pistons the favorite by a -5 ½ point chalk with a 181 ½ point total. The price of a money line wager on the Pistons is -240 while the Bulls are getting +200 money line juice.
“Almost all the time after something like that, we have a great response,” Skiles said following the loss. “The issue is, if we respond and play very well, can we beat the Pistons if they’re playing at a high level? I think the answer is yes.”
The Pistons were a step quicker and more aggressive on defense, limiting the Bulls to 33 percent shooting and forcing 22 turnovers. At the other end of the court, Detroit had five double-digit scorers that were effective inside and out, and in fast break and half-court situations.
Detroit’s Chauncey Billups and Richard Hamilton each scored 20 points, leading the Pistons to the 26 point rout.
The Pistons were aggressive on defense, clogging the passing lanes. They caused problems at the other end of the court playing unselfishly to help five players score in double figures.
I expect the Bulls to come out more determined than they were in Saturdays debacle. Chicago has played well this season in the Palace beating the Pistons on April 4 by 18 points and only losing by a bucket in their previous date on Feb 25. The total went UNDER 181 in Game-One but went OVER in the two regular season games played in the Palace.
