Tip-off: Friday, 7:30 p.m. ET
Line: N/A, Total: N/A

The Bulls go for a fifth straight victory when they head to Detroit and take on the Pistons Friday.

Chicago has been hot lately, beating Cleveland 113-98 as a 1.5-point home underdog before the break. The Bulls have won four straight games and covered in three of those contests. One reason this team has been able to get back on track is that it returned to its roots and started to play defense again. Over the past four games, the Bulls are allowing just 88.3 PPG and they’ll need to keep up the intensity on that end. The Pistons, meanwhile, lost two of their past three games SU and ATS heading into the break. Their most recent game was a 104-87 loss as 6-point home favorites against the Spurs. When these teams met on Nov. 10, 2014, the Bulls beat the Pistons 102-91 as 10-point home favorites. Chicago has dominated this head-to-head series recently, going 8-2 SU but 4-6 ATS in the past 10 games between these two. The Bulls have been equally as dominant in Detroit, winning-and-covering in two straight and going 9-1 SU and 6-4 ATS in their past 10 trips to The Palace of Auburn Hills. The Bulls have played well on the road this season, going 19-9 SU and 15-13 ATS. They are also 2-1 SU and ATS when playing on three or more day’s rest. The Pistons haven’t responded well to extended breaks, going 2-2 SU and 1-3 ATS when playing on three or more day’s rest this season. SG Jimmy Butler (Shoulder) and PG Kirk Hinrich (Toe) are both probable for the Bulls. SFs Caron Butler (Back) and Cartier Martin (Ankle) are probable for the Pistons, who are without PG Brandon Jennings (Achilles) for the season. PG Reggie Jackson (Acquired) is likely out for this one.

The Bulls have really started to click recently and a lot of that has to do with PG Derrick Rose (18.9 PPG, 5.0 APG, 3.1 RPG). Rose has been on fire, pouring in 30 points with seven assists in a win over the Cavs before the break. He’s averaging 21.2 PPG, 6.2 APG and 1.0 SPG in 35.0 MPG over the past five games and has seemingly gotten his quickness back. Rose had 24 points and seven assists in the first meeting with Detroit this year and should be able to do well this time around also. The health of SG Jimmy Butler (20.4 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 3.2 APG, 1.8 SPG) will be big in this one. Butler didn’t play against the Cavs and only got nine minutes of action in the All-Star Game on Sunday. The Bulls need him to be healthy, as he is their best two-way player and can really put a lot of pressure on opposing teams. PF Pau Gasol (18.4 PPG, 12.1 RPG, 2.1 BPG) played very well in the first game against the Pistons this season. He had 17 points, 15 rebounds, four assists and four blocks in that game and will need to do more of the same in this one. The Pistons have an extremely talented frontcourt and he can’t afford to only play well on the offensive end. C Joakim Noah (7.7 PPG, 9.7 RPG, 3.7 APG, 1.3 BPG) had one of his best games of the year against Cleveland before the break. Noah played 31 minutes and had 10 points, 15 rebounds, seven assists and a block. He had 13 points, 14 rebounds and six assists against Detroit early in the season, but he didn’t have any blocks. He’ll need to protect the rim in this one or the Bulls’ winning streak could end here.

The Pistons have lost two of their past three games and will be looking to get back on track with a win over the Bulls on Friday. The point guard position is a major question mark for this game, as the Pistons traded PG D.J. Augustin and their acquired players likely won't be suiting up in this game. SG Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (11.9 PPG, 3.1 RPG, 1.1 SPG) will also need to be ready to play in this one. He’ll be matched up against Jimmy Butler for a majority of this game and the Pistons can’t afford to get nothing out of him. He had 20 points against the Spurs and is one of the best shooters Detroit has (35% 3PT). If he’s not knocking down his open looks, it’ll be hard for the Pistons to score enough to beat this Chicago squad. PF Greg Monroe (15.4 PPG, 10.4 RPG) had 16 points and 10 boards in 36 minutes the last time he met the Bulls. Monroe struggled against San Antonio last game, finishing with just six points and six rebounds in 30 minutes of action. He’ll need to turn things around, as the Pistons can’t win this game unless he holds his own against Pau Gasol. He should be able to have a good game on the offensive end, as Gasol is one of the few players in the league that Monroe is quicker than. C Andre Drummond (12.6 PPG, 12.8 RPG, 1.8 BPG) had just two points before fouling out against Chicago the last time these teams met. He did grab 12 boards and block a shot, but he must stay disciplined this time around. The Pistons need his effort on the glass and they can’t afford to have him in foul trouble once again.