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“We’re all in this together,” Chicago leading scorer Jimmy Butler
told reporters. “Everybody is doing their part, taking care of their
body. And when we do hit adversity from here on out, I hope we know
how to turn from it.” Bulls' second-leading scorer Derrick Rose
aggravated an elbow injury in the 103-100 win at Houston on Thursday
and is doubtful for Saturday. The Pistons have won six of eight
games, but fell 98-89 at Dallas on Friday as they shot just 38.3
percent from the field after knocking off Oklahoma City one night
earlier. Seventh-place Detroit is 1 ˝ games ahead of Chicago in the
Eastern Conference playoff race.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, NBATV, FSN Detroit, WGN (Chicago)
ABOUT THE PISTONS (40-36): Marcus Morris scored a season-high 31
points for Detroit on Friday to lead a starting group that accounted
for 83 of the 89 points. Leading scorer Reggie Jackson has struggled
over the last five games, making just 22-of-75 from the field (29.3
percent) while averaging 13.6 points during the stretch. Center
Andre Drummond posted 12 points and 17 rebounds Friday, but made
just 2-of-10 from the free-throw line and was pulled for periods of
the third and fourth quarters when Dallas was intentionally fouling
him.
ABOUT THE BULLS (38-37): Forward Nikola Mirotic stepped up in the
last two contests, scoring 28 points in each off the bench while
draining 12-of-23 from 3-point range. The extra offense from Mirotic
(11.2 on the season) was needed with Rose contributing just eight
combined in the two games while forward Taj Gibson (ribs) missed the
Houston game and is questionable for Saturday. Butler matched his
season average with 21 points at Houston and center Pau Gasol has
notched three straight double-doubles.
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BUZZER BEATERS
1. The Pistons won the first two meetings in overtime this season
before the Bulls rebounded with a 111-101 triumph on Jan. 18.
2. Detroit F Tobias Harris is draining 90 percent (63-of-70) of his
free throws since being acquired from Orlando before the trade
deadline.
3. Chicago has allowed its last three opponents to make just
17-of-66 from 3-point range (25.8 percent).
PREDICTION: Bulls 101, Pistons 99
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