Pistons at Bulls, 3.24.09

I will be participating in a Live Blog (link) on PistonPowered.com during the game. Piston Powered is a Detroit Piston's blog that is a part of the ESPN.com TrueHoop blog network. During the Live Blog, I will discuss the game, the state of the team, and will be available to answer questions. Thanks to Dan Feldman of Piston Powered for helping set this up.

Matchup: Detroit Pistons (34-35) at Chicago Bulls (33-38)
Spread: Bulls -5
My Pick: Bulls by 7

Three reasons the Pistons will win:

1. Tired Bulls. The Bulls played a close game in Washington last night. Only eight Bulls played and they had to fly home less than 24 hours ago. They should have tired legs tonight.
2. Mediocrity. The Bulls have a glut of players who can be considered above average, but absolutely no one who is great. John Salmons has been their best player lately. Ask the Kings how well that works out. (Note: Derrick Rose has the potential to be great, but he has a long way to go.)
3. Tyrus Thomas. Mr. Inconsistent tends to play great against the Pistons. If he has one of his periodic big games, he could hurt the Pistons.

Three reasons the Pistons will lose:

1. Home Cooking. The home team has won the last four matchups between these two teams.
2. Come Back Sheed. Kwame Brown can't score. Jason Maxiell is too short to excel at power forward. Amir Johnson can't earn his coach's trust. Rasheed has none of those problems, but he does have an injured calf that should keep him out of the lineup.
3. Antonio McDyess. If the Pistons have been losing with the way McDyess has been playing, what will happen when he reverts to playing like a normal player? McDyess cannot keep up his recent tear forever, right?

Update:
Final Score: Detroit 91, Chicago 99
Notes:

• The Bulls understood the playoff implications and acted accordingly. Kirk Hinrich, Ben Gordon, and John Salmons each played 46 minutes.
• Tyrus Thomas simultaneously showed why he has the talent to be great and why it's so frustrating that he rarely plays as well as he can. He was the best player on the floor all game.
• Will Bynum was awesome. Other Pistons played well, but this squad requires super-human efforts to overcome all of its injuries.
• If the Bulls had any chance to win a playoff series (they don't), there would be a ton of logic behind starting Hinrich ahead of Derrick Rose.