This Pistons mostly controlled this matchup last season after dropping an early-season verdict to Chicago. The last two wins a season ago were thumpers (132-92 and 128-110), coming back-to-back in mid-February. That was in the middle of an eight-game Detroit uptick, but the Pistons continued to finish in the playoffs and above the play-in round, and they made a good fist of it in the first round vs. the Knicks, pushing New York to six in a tightly-fought series where Cade Cunningham really shined. The Bulls might be a bit better than people think but their ability to push the pace a bit more (as Billy Donovan would like) could be hampered at the outset by the absence of key G Coby White. Play Pistons

Matas Buzelis averaged just 5.8 points and shot 42.9% from the field when he came off the bench last season. However, he averaged 13.0 points and shot 47.3% as a starter. Not only is he a clear starter for the Bulls now, but he has become one of the centerpieces of their rebuild. During the preseason, he averaged 17.6 points in just 23 minutes per game. Coby White (calf) won’t play against the Pistons, which should leave even more shot attempts for Buzelis. Take this over.