Keys to Chicago Bulls’ home game vs. Detroit Pistons

DeMar DeRozan and the Bulls will try to win their second straight game when they host the Pistons.

The Chicago Bulls (39-42) host the Detroit Pistons (17-64) today. The Bulls are coming off a 115-112 road win against the Mavericks on Friday. Coby White led the way with 24 points, 11 assists, and seven rebounds, Patrick Williams had 23 points and eight rebounds, and Nikola Vucevic added 20 points, 10 rebounds, and four assists in the victory.

Lonzo Ball is still out with a left knee injury as the Bulls look to win their second straight game. Zach LaVine (left knee injury management) is listed as questionable.

Detroit Pistons (17-64) vs. Chicago Bulls (39-42)

Sunday, April 9 – 1:00 PM ET at United Center

Detroit Pistons

• Points Per Game: 110.7 (29th of 30)
• Opponent Points Per Game: 118.7 (28th of 30)
• Bench Points Per Game: 39.6 (5th of 30)
• Pace: 99.1 (14th of 30)
• Offensive Rating: 111 (28th of 30)
• Defensive Rating: 119.1 (28th of 30)
• Net Rating: -8.1 (29th of 30)

Chicago Bulls

• Points Per Game: 113.2 (21st of 30)
• Opponent Points Per Game: 112.2 (7th of 30)
• Bench Points Per Game: 30.9 (24th of 30)
• Pace: 98.5 (17th of 30)
• Offensive Rating: 113.6 (24th of 30)
• Defensive Rating: 112.5 (5th of 30)
• Net Rating: +1.1 (14th of 30)

Contain Jaden Ivey

Jaden Ivey had 29 points, nine assists, five rebounds, and two steals on 9-of-20 shooting and 3-of-8 from three-point range in 42 minutes in Friday’s 122-115 road win against the Pacers.

Ivey’s rookie season is ending on a high note, as he’s averaging 21.8 points, 7.6 assists, and 4.1 rebounds in 36 minutes over his last 10 games. Ivey averages 18.7 points, four assists, and 2.7 rebounds over 31.3 minutes in three games against the Bulls this season. The Bulls must contain Ivey to win their 40th game this season.

Outscore the Pistons in fastbreak points

The Chicago Bulls already secured the 10th seed in the play-in tournament, and it’s hard to know who will rest for them on Sunday. This is a meaningless game, nothing will be gained or learned from it, but ending the regular season on a high note in what could be the last home game should matter.

The Bulls were 11-of-31 (35.5%) from three-point range against the Mavericks, and it’s clear they have a hard time shooting to punish opponents. That inability to score the ball in the half-court can hurt them in the play-in tournament.

Scoring in transition can help their half-court offense against the Pistons. The Bulls forced nine turnovers from the Mavericks so they could get out in transition, and they committed 12 turnovers.

This three-turnover differential made a difference, as the Mavericks actually outscored the Bulls 23-11 in fast break points and almost won the game. The Bulls must force the Pistons to make mistakes and outscore them in fastbreak points on Sunday.

Noteworthy

• The Bulls won the last meeting, 117-115, on March 1. LaVine led the Bulls with 41 points.

• The Bulls are 10-0 in the last 10 matchups against the Pistons.

• Pistons’ projected lineup: Wiseman, Duren, Hampton, Hayes, Ivey

• Bulls’ projected lineup: Vucevic, Caruso, LaVine, DeRozan, Beverley

• Pistons’ Injury Report: Hamidou Diallo (right ankle sprain), Bojan Bogdanovic (Achilles), Alec Burks (left foot soreness), Isaiah Stewart (left shoulder impingement), Cade Cunningham (left shin), Rodney McGruder (sprained right foot), Isaiah Livers (sprained right ankle) and Eugene Omoruyi (sprained left ankle) will miss this game.
• Bulls’ Injury Report: Lonzo Ball is out with a left knee injury. Zach LaVine (left knee injury management) is questionable.