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Pistons face Bulls in playoff rematch

Nov 8, 2007 - 2:03 PM Detroit (3-0) at Chicago (0-4) 8:00 pm EST

CHICAGO (Ticker) - The Detroit Pistons look to stay perfect on Thursday when they host the winless Chicago Bulls.

This contest is a rematch of last season's Eastern Conference semifinals, won by the Pistons in six games.

The Pistons are 3-0 for the second time in three seasons after starting the 2005-06 campaign with eight consecutive wins. Detroit got off to a 2-1 start last season en route to a 53-29 record, tops in the Eastern Conference.

The Pistons won their first two games by double digits over the Miami Heat and Orlando Magic before edging the Atlanta Hawks, 92-91, on Sunday. Chauncey Billups led the way against the Hawks, scoring 22 points with five rebounds and four steals.

Billups averaged 17 points, 7.2 assists and 3.4 rebounds a game last season as the Pistons advanced to the Eastern Conference finals before being eliminated by the Cleveland Cavaliers. The 31-year-old point guard opted out of his contract at the end of last season but signed a five-year, $60 million contract with the Pistons two weeks later.

The Bulls are 0-4 for the first time since the 2004-05 season, when they lost their first nine games but still ended up in second place in the Central Division with a 47-35 record.

During their last contest, the Bulls suffered a 97-91 setback to the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday. Luol Deng had 22 points and eight rebounds to pace the Bulls.