With 20 games remaining, the Detroit Pistons are in position to
qualify for the Eastern Conference playoffs for the second straight
season. They can greatly enhance their prospects with victories
during the next two games.
The Pistons, who currently hold the eighth and final playoff berth,
face the two teams directly above them in the conference standings.
The first of those matchups comes Monday night, when they host the
Chicago Bulls.
The teams, who complete the four-game season series at Chicago's
United Center later this month, split their first two meetings. If
Detroit (30-32) remains in the eighth spot, it likely would face
defending champion Cleveland once again. The Cavaliers swept the
Pistons in the opening round last spring.
That's why the game tonight, as well as Detroit's trek to Indiana
on Wednesday, takes on added importance. The Pacers (32-30) hold
the sixth spot after defeating Atlanta on Sunday afternoon.
A 136-106 road victory against Philadelphia on Saturday night gives
the Pistons a little momentum heading into their big week, which
also includes home games against the Cavaliers and New York Knicks.
Saturday's point total was Detroit's highest in regulation since
March 2008.
"We did a lot of little things, like screening, moving the ball
around, which worked," forward Tobias Harris said. "Our pace on
offense was key for us, and we were able to get stops in
transition. We had a good flow out there, both groups, we played
well as a team."
Coach Stan Van Gundy made a slight alteration to his rotation,
deciding to distribute the minutes between struggling point guard
Reggie Jackson and backup Ish Smith more evenly. Initial results
were positive, with Jackson scoring 21 points in 25 minutes and
Smith posting 11 points and 13 assists in 23 minutes.
"I told Reggie he was going to go in shorter bursts, so to push
himself, and not pace himself since we had guys coming in to back
him up," Van Gundy said. "That's all we talked about. Let it loose
a little more and keep our pace up. The energy in that first unit
certainly has not been good, and it's not all on Reggie, but we
have to follow the point guard, and pick our pace up to attack. I
thought he was better with that."
Following a big win over Golden State, Chicago (31-31) lost 101-91
to the Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday night. The Bulls scored
just 30 points in the second half.
"In the first half, we were free-flowing -- the ball was moving
(and) everybody was playing for each other," coach Fred Hoiberg
told the Chicago Tribune. "In the second half, we didn't get calls
and it affected us on the other end. We have to find a way to fight
through the tough times and understand what makes us a successful
team."
The team's top offensive threat, swingman Jimmy Butler, took only
seven shots and finished with 16 points. He admitted afterward he
sometimes struggles with deciding when to shoot and when to keep
the ball moving.
"I don't know what I'm seeing," Butler told the team's website.
"I'm just trying to play basketball the right way; that's my job.
... I want to get everybody involved. That's what the coaches want
me to do, what everybody wants me to do. I'm trying to do that. I
think we all know I can shoot the ball anytime I want."
