• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Wallace faces former team for first time

Jan 6, 2007 - 5:08 PM Detroit (19-11) at Chicago (19-14) 8:30 pm EST

CHICAGO (Ticker) -- Ben Wallace faces his former team for the first time Saturday when the Chicago Bulls host the Detroit Pistons.

A four-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year, Wallace spent six seasons with the Pistons and was part of their 2004 championship team.

In July, Wallace turned down a four-year, $48 million contract from the Pistons. He jumped to Chicago, inking a reported four-year deal worth $52 million.

Landing Wallace was a major move for the Bulls, who were seeking an interior defensive presence.

Wallace's numbers have dipped this season as he is averaging 6.8 points and 9.9 rebounds. He averaged at least 11.3 rebounds per game during his tenure in Detroit.

On Friday, Luol Deng scored 22 points as the Bulls dropped a 91-86 decision at New Jersey. Chicago squandered an 18-0 lead.

Chicago has lost consecutive games for the first time since a six-game skid from November 14-24.

After losing Wallace, the Pistons replaced him by signing Nazr Mohammed to a four-year, $25 million contract. He is averaging 7.6 points and 5.8 rebounds in 30 games.

Even without Wallace, the Pistons are in first place in the Central Division, percentage points ahead of Cleveland.

Richard Hamilton scored 27 points as the Pistons snapped a three-game losing streak on Thursday with a 92-68 victory over New Orleans.