The Detroit Pistons have shown that they are still a team to be reckoned with.  A couple of weeks ago they defeated the Boston Celtics, at the Garden, feeding them a nice big slice of humble pie.  With that, the Pistons have been accused of only stepping up to the plate when something important is on the line, such as their pride.  A game in Toronto might not motivate them as much as say a game in Boston.  However, the Pistons say their time will come in the playoffs.  With a team that’s been together so long, you are inclined to believe them.  After all they’ve routinely been in the eastern conference finals, and won a title, in the last half decade. 

Toronto made waves last year by playing well, and even making the playoffs.  They also have one of the best players that many have not really even heard of, Chris Bosh.  Bosh has been offered more lucrative contracts to play in bigger American cities, but he says the Toronto lifestyle suits him just fine, and that he wants to make them a contender as opposed to just going to another team.  Bosh is nearly averaging a double-double with 20.4 points and 9.2 rebounds a contest. 

I will favor Billups in company in this one.  They have high expectations to live up to now that they have beaten the Celtics.  Also, the Pistons have a better road record then Toronto has home record, which could spell trouble for the Raptors. 

This game is the very definition of two teams heading in opposite directions.  The Chicago Bulls fired head coach Scott Skiles on Christmas Eve (Happy Holidays indeed) and as of this writing are sitting seven games under .500.  They are showing few signs of turning things around, and it could just be a long season altogether.  Portland on the other hand, also of this writing, are on a current 11 game winning streak.  What makes this an even greater accomplishment is that they are doing it without their number one draft pick of last year Greg Oden, who went down with an injury very early into the preseason.  The Trail Blazers have looked like two separate teams between now and the first set of games at the beginning of the season.  Their record on the road is only 3-9, which may give the Bulls some help, yet Portland is probably just playing a little too well for them right now.

The Trial Blazers are riding the wings of another young player, second year man Brandon Roy.  Roy is averaging 19 points and 5.6 rebounds a game, but his leadership has been the real quality.  During the current winning streak Roy has shown up time and time again in the clutch when needed.  At such a young age it’s amazing he has been able to demand the type of respect he has. 

Despite the poor road record I will still favor the red hot Trail Blazers over the icy cold Bulls. 

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