Pistons vs. Bulls GameThread: Game Time, TV, Odds, and More

Game with Detroit Pistons and Chicago Bulls. Detroit looking to build some momentum during long home stand. Blah blah blah. Luka Doncic was traded from the Dallas Mavericks to the Los Angeles freaking Lakers. I am not sure if the preceding sentence is a statement or a question. Maybe its both. It has literally nothing to do with the Pistons and Bulls game, sure, but it’s sort of all that I can think about. I just don’t get it. Also, will there be some sort of knock-on effect for both the Bulls and the Pistons in the week leading to the trade deadline? It certainly repositions where the Mavs and Lakers find themselves and what they will be looking for leading up to the deadline. It might also motivate other contenders to shift gears slightly. Both Chicago and Detroit are certainly interested in making moves. Chicago has a couple of veterans they’d like to dangle in front of contenders, namely Zach LaVine and Nikola Vucevic. Detroit, meanwhile, has $14 million worth of cap space for sale that they would like to use to facilitate deals and collect young/useful assets.

Oh yeah, the game. Right. Cade Cunningham needs to do good things, and Zach LaVine is missing this game, so the Pistons can’t let Coby White go nuclear. Also, maybe don’t let this be a night where Vucevic hits six three-pointers. With LaVine out, the Bulls are starting a shockingly small lineup that features four guards and Vucevic. Sure, Josh Giddey and Lonzo Ball have some size to them, but Detroit must take advantage in a rare game where they have the size advantage everywhere on the floor.

Game Vitals

When: 3 p.m. ET
Where: Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, Michigan
Watch: Fan Duel Sports Network Detroit
Odds: Pistons -6

Projected Lineups

Detroit Pistons (24-24)

Cade Cunningham, Tim Hardaway Jr., Ausar Thompson, Tobias Harris, Jalen Duren

Chicago Bulls (21-8)

Ayo Donsumu, Coby White, Lonzo Ball, Josh Giddey, Nikola Vucevic