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Bulls aim to bounce back vs. Pistons

Jan 9, 2012 - 3:37 PM (Sports Network) - The Chicago Bulls had a season-high six-game winning streak stopped over the weekend. Perhaps a meeting with the Central Division-rival Detroit Pistons tonight at the United Center will get them back on track.

The Bulls still have the second-best winning percentage in the Eastern Conference at .778 and finished a three-game road trip with a 2-1 mark. In Saturday's 109-94 loss at Atlanta, reigning MVP Derrick Rose finished with just eight points and six assists on 3-of-10 shooting. Rose was on the bench for nearly the last 15 minutes because the game was out of hand, giving more time to reserve guard John Lucas, who led the team with 16 points.

"They're good. You have to give them credit," Bulls head coach Tom Thibodeau said of the Hawks. "I thought they came out with a lot of intensity."

Kyle Korver had 13 points and both Carlos Boozer and Jimmy Butler netted 12 apiece for the Bulls, who are in the midst of alternating away and home games over the next 10 contests. In injury news for Chicago, guard Richard Hamilton missed his second straight game Saturday with a groin issue and is doubtful for tonight. Guard C.J. Watson is still bothered by a balky left elbow and is slated to miss at least one week. Watson hasn't played in four straight games.

Despite the loss in Atlanta, the Bulls are still off to their best start since a 12-0 record to begin the 1996-97 season. They are 6-1 when holding their opponent under 100 points and 2-0 in the Windy City this season. Chicago has won six straight regular-season games at home dating back to last year.

Detroit is still searching for its first road win of the season (0-3) and will play three of its next four games away from The Palace of Auburn Hills.

The Pistons are just 2-6 on the new season and suffered a third straight defeat with Saturday's 103-80 home setback versus the New York Knicks. Brandon Knight had 19 points and Ben Gordon added 12 for Detroit, which committed 21 turnovers and played without Austin Daye (sore right ankle), Rodney Stuckey (sore groin) and Charlie Villanueva (sore right ankle).

"You know this is not representative of who we want to be so we all have to own it starting with me," Pistons coach Lawrence Frank said. "This is going to be a long season and yet what we have to do is figure out all the things that are going to be a part of the solution; and how you deal with adversity, and parts of the game and how you deal with other team runs."

Greg Monroe had 15 points in the loss and is averaging 17.8 points and 9.0 rebounds in his last six games. Stuckey and Villanueva are doubtful for Monday's game and Daye is listed as questionable against the Bulls.

Detroit suffered a 99-83 loss versus Chicago on Jan. 4 this season at The Palace and has dropped the last 12 meetings between the two teams. The Bulls have won 17 of the last 19 contests in this series and are unbeaten in the previous 10 encounters at the United Center. Rose averaged 34.0 points and 7.0 assists in two home games against the Pistons last season.

Chicago's last home loss to Detroit was on Feb. 24, 2006, a 95-87 setback.