Can Big Ben strike in Detroit? There is a lot of playoff history between Chicago and Detroit and the Bulls and Pistons will write another chapter in what was once the most heated rivalry in the Eastern Conference during the late 1980s and into the early 1990s.

After sweeping last season's champions Miami Heat in Round 1, the Bulls now take on number 1 seeds Detroit and start the semi-finals of the Eastern Conference series 300 miles away at their biggest rivals home in the prosperous city of Auburn Hills, 30 miles north of the not so prosperous downtown Detroit. Its a bit like Millwall playing in Tunbridge Wells!

The Bulls maturity and relentless hustle has taken them further this season than at anytime since the 'Jordan era' and with defensive colossus Big Ben Wallace (left) returning to Detroit, where he will no doubt get booed every time he nears the ball, the Bulls have a quiet confidence about them knowing that they can score points from all over the court.

In Chicago, the locals took some time to warm to the 240lb Wallace, who signed a four-year, $60 million contract with the Bulls last July after six seasons in Detroit.

But as I witnessed recently Wallace has slowly turned to Bulls fans round and fans screamed their approval every time the 'Big Ben' chime rang around the United Center after a Wallace block or basket.

With title favourites Dallas Mavericks surprisingly getting knocked out in the 1st Round of the play-off's there is a thought that the Champions could come out of the Bulls v Pistons series. We found out, the first game is tonight. Go Da Bulls.  ¶ 19:35