Wallace returns to Detroit as Pistons host Bulls

Wallace spent the last six seasons in Detroit and earned an NBA Championship with the Pistons in 2004 before joining the Bulls this past offseason as a free agent.

The 10-year veteran won four Defensive Player of the Year awards while with Detroit and played on four All-Star teams. The Pistons reached the Eastern Conference Finals last season in what turned out to be Wallace’s final season with Detroit.

The teams have met once already this season, but that showdown took place in Chicago on January 6 when the Bulls halted a five-game series losing streak with a 106-89 victory. Wallace had 12 points and 14 rebounds in that game.

Detroit, though, has won six of eight and 15 of the last 18 in the series.

While the Bulls managed to swipe Wallace away from Detroit, they have yet to overtake the Pistons in the Central Division. Detroit currently holds a 4 1/2 game lead over third-place Chicago in the standings.

On Friday, Luol Deng tied his career high with 32 points and also finished with 11 rebounds, as the Chicago Bulls surged past the Washington Wizards, 105-90, at the United Center.

Kirk Hinrich scored 20 points, had eight boards, and dished out 12 assists for Chicago, which has won three straight following a slide in which they had dropped five of six.

The Bulls were playing without forward Andres Nocioni, who missed his eighth game in the last nine with a foot injury. Nocioni aggravated the injury Thursday night against Cleveland after missing seven straight games. He is now expected to miss at least three weeks because of the ailment.

Chicago is 10-18 on the road this season, but returns home on Monday to begin a three-game homestand.

Detroit comes in as winners in three straight, most recently knocking off Orlando on Friday.

Chauncey Billups poured in 28 points and Richard Hamilton had 22 as the Pistons rallied in the fourth quarter to defeat the Magic, 94-89. Rasheed Wallace posted 14 points and 10 rebounds for the Pistons, who have won 10 of their last 11 overall.

Detroit improved to 14-3 since forward Chris Webber joined the lineup, and is 18-10 at The Palace this season. The club will be out of action following today’s game until it opens a brief road trip on Friday in Miami.