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Game Two: Bulls at Pistons | 7 p.m. CT
Games 3 and 4 will be in Chicago on Thursday and Sunday
Bulls Playoff Central
Also: Click here or visit Bulls.com to buy playoff tickets!
Hello ***,
The Chicago Bulls will try and address their match-up problems with the Pistons and bounce back from a loss in the series opener when the teams meet tonight in Detroit for Game 2 (7 p.m. CT | TNT | WCKG 105.9 FM).
On Saturday, the Bulls suffered a 95-69 loss to the Pistons in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals.
"It's a difficult team for us to match up with because they're bigger than us at every position on the floor and at some positions, they're more athletic also,'' Bulls coach Scott Skiles said Sunday morning. "That's why we have to play our effort, energy game, because sometimes those things can neutralize that.''
The Pistons were a step quicker and more aggressive Saturday on defense, limiting Chicago to less than 33 percent shooting and forcing 22 turnovers.
At the other end of the court, Detroit had five double-digit scorers that were effective inside and out, and in fast break and half-court situations.
Chauncey Billups had his way early with Ben Gordon, who also seems to be a defensive liability against Rip Hamilton. Detroit's All-Star guards each scored 20, while Gordon had just seven points in part because he was called for two fouls in the first 2 1/2 minutes of the series.
"We're having a hard time finding somebody he can guard in the starting lineup,'' Skiles said. "He's got to address that and be able to guard somebody so that he doesn't get in foul trouble.''
The Bulls are having trouble with Detroit's frontcourt, too, because Rasheed Wallace, Chris Webber and reserve Antonio McDyess can all score from the perimeter.
When Skiles replaces Ben Wallace or P.J. Brown with Tyrus Thomas, the problems are compounded by his inexperience.
"We've got a certain way we're trying to cover things that he has a hard time figuring out,'' Skiles said. "He's a young kid trying to learn his way and unfortunately, he's in a big-time environment trying to do it.''
Pistons coach Flip Saunders did not quite buy Skiles' woe-is-us comments.
"They beat us three out of four during the regular season, so they've had success against us,'' Saunders said. "The one thing about Scott's teams, they always play extremely hard.''
Detroit is determined to match the Bulls' intensity in Game 2, when its dominant performance in the series opener becomes irrelevant.
"That's your main emphasis,'' Saunders said. "That's why you play a series. It's not one game. It's not the NCAA. One play can change a game and one game can change a series. The guys are extremely focused, and they've talked about the importance of Game 2.''
In the past - with many of the same players - the Pistons have been at their best when doubted. In times of prosperity or positive publicity, they have allowed their focus and intensity to slip.
Lindsey Hunter insisted that letting up mentally and physically is merely a part of the team's history, and pointed toward the first-round sweep over the Orlando Magic as proof. That's why he is not worried about how Detroit responds two days later after routing the Bulls.
"I don't think it's a test,'' Hunter said. "In the first round, everybody was talking about we haven't swept anybody. Now it's about whether we can handle success. It will be an ongoing saga. Can you do this? Can you do that? We don't really pay attention. We just want to keep our focus and intensity.''
The Bulls' sweep over the defending NBA champion Miami Heat in the first round came after a disheartening setback at New Jersey in the regular-season finale, knocking them down from the second-seeded to the fifth-seeded team in the East.
"Almost all the time after something like that, we have a great response,'' Skiles said. "The issue is, if we respond and play very well, can we beat them if they're playing at a high level? I think the answer is 'Yes.'''
Tune in to watch tonight's game at 7 p.m. CT on TNT and listen live on WCKG 105.9 FM. Visit Bulls.com or click here now for a complete preview of this evening's contest.
Probable Bulls Starters
Guard 12 Kirk Hinrich 6-3 | 190
Guard 7 Ben Gordon 6-3 | 200
Forward 9 Luol Deng 6-9 | 220
Forward 42 P.J. Brown 6-11 | 239
Center 3 Ben Wallace 6-9 | 240
Click here now for Chicago's team roster and statistics.
Probable Pistons Starters
Guard 1 Chauncey Billups 6-3 | 202
Guard 32 Richard Hamilton 6-7 | 193
Forward 22 Tayshaun Prince 6-9 | 215
Forward 36 Rasheed Wallace 6-11 | 230
Center 84 Chris Webber 6-10 | 245
Click here now for Detroit's team roster and statistics.
Injury Report
Bulls
Chicago has no significant injuries to report. For a full report and the latest on Bulls' injuries, check out the AthletiCo Injury Report at Bulls.com.
Pistons
Detroit has no significant injuries to report.
Complete Game Notes
For more game notes, statistics and player bios, visit Bulls.com now.
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Bulls to return home for Game 3 on Thursday
Chicago-Detroit tickets are on sale now!
Tickets for the second round of the NBA Playoffs are on sale now at the United Center, Ticketmaster, online at Bulls.com or by calling 1.800.4NBA.TIX.
2007 NBA Playoffs
Bulls vs. Detroit Pistons
Conference Semifinals
Game 2:
Monday, May 7 at Detroit
(7 p.m. CT, TNT,
WCKG 105.9 FM)
Game 3:
Thursday, May 10
at Chicago
(8 p.m. CT, ESPN, CSN,
WCKG 105.9 FM)
Game 4:
Sunday, May 13 at Chicago
(2:30 p.m. CT, ABC,
WCKG 105.9 FM)
* Game 5:
Tuesday, May 15 at Detroit
(Time TBD, TNT,
WCKG 105.9 FM)
* Game 6:
Thursday, May 17
at Chicago
(Time TBD, ESPN, CSN,
WCKG 105.9 FM)
* Game 7:
Monday, May 21 at Detroit
(Time TBD, TNT,
WCKG 105.9 FM)
* If necessary.
All times CT.
Win 2007 Playoff Tickets
The Bulls have advanced to the second round for the first time since 1998 and are taking on the Detroit Pistons! This is your chance to be there for all the sold out action. The Bulls are giving away four pairs of free tickets to every home playoff game - click here to enter now.
More at Bulls.com:
Around the Web:
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Bulls.com Confidential: Daily Audio Reports
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