Poor defense cost Chicago a win on Monday night against the Trail Blazers, who accumulated 112 points in total on nearly 50 percent shooting.
The Bulls, though, managed to keep up at 42 percent shooting and received major production from the pair of Dwyane Wade and Jimmy Butler. The two All-Stars combined for 60 points, with 34 of which coming from the former Heat guard.
Chicago’s now lost back-to-back games and three of its last four (1-3 ATS), dropping them to 11-9 on the season. Up next on their schedule is a trip to the Motor City for its first regular-season meeting with the Pistons. And needless to say, the Bulls D is in the spotlight again as it takes on a Detroit offense that’s averaging 111.3 points in the last three games.
Detroit got Reggie Jackson back on Sunday night, but his season debut was spoiled by the Magic, who snapped the Pistons’ three-game run.
Jackson finished with 18 points and four assists in 23 minutes of action, while Marcus Morris led Detroit with 21 points, including a game-high five three-pointers. Their offense, however, struggled against the Orlando defense down the stretch, racking up just 92 points on 44.2 percent shooting at the end of regulation.
The pair of Tobias Harris and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope went just 9-of-12 combined against the Magic, and will look to rebound tonight versus the visiting Bulls. Both have put up 18 or more points in the last three games prior to the loss. They’re also averaging 15.0 and 16.8 points, respectively, this season.
The Pistons are 2-3 SU and ATS in their last five home games.
