Brown still looking out for Thomas

Even though P.J. Brown has officially cut ties with the Bulls by signing with Boston, he still considers himself a mentor to second-year forward Tyrus Thomas.

The two Louisiana natives were tight during Thomas' rookie season and were neighbors in the United Center locker room.

"That's my guy," Brown said Friday. "That's my nephew, man. I'll always be there for him. Whenever he needs to talk to me or call me, I'll be on the phone. I love him like family. Things are rough right now, but things are going to turn around. He just has to stay strong."

Thomas served the second game of his suspension Friday for missing a practice and should be available tonight at Detroit.

"I didn't get a chance to really talk about it," Brown added. "We will. It's been a tough week for him, but Tyrus is strong. Tyrus has a lot of talent and he's going to be a player in this league. It's just going to take time for it all to come together."

No to New Orleans: P.J. Brown also addressed why he chose to sign with the Celtics instead of his hometown New Orleans Hornets, one of the top contenders in the Western Conference.

"It wasn't just Boston and New Orleans that were interested," Brown said. "A few teams were calling and wanted me to join them. It was something I prayed on, something I tossed and turned on, something I discussed with my family. Ultimately, my heart told me to go to Boston and that's why I'm here."

Brown said the Bulls never offered him a sign-and-trade scenario while they still held his Bird rights.

Bull horns: Bulls newcomer Shannon Brown is a Proviso East High School product, like Celtics coach Doc Rivers, but their ties go even deeper. "My dad's a police officer. His dad's a police officer," Brown said. "My dad kind of came up under his dad. There's a lot of connections there." … Luol Deng's roommate during his freshman year at Duke was Joe Pagliuca, whose father, Stephen, is a Celtics managing partner. The younger Pagliuca visited Deng in the locker room following Friday's game.

Tonight's tipoff

Bulls vs. Detroit Pistons at the Palace of Auburn Hills, 7 p.m.

TV: Comcast SportsNet, ESPN

Radio: WMVP 1000-AM

Update: One of the great mysteries of this NBA season is how the Bulls have managed to go 3-0 against the Pistons, who own the league's second-best record at 45-17. The Bulls have won six of the last seven regular-season meetings between the teams and five straight, including a 98-91 victory at the Palace on Dec. 7.

Fast facts: Detroit forward Rasheed Wallace sat out Friday's game in New York with a sore left ankle and is questionable for tonight. ... The Pistons lead the league in fewest turnovers per game with an average of 11.5.

Next: Utah Jazz at the United Center, 7:30 p.m. Tuesday

-- Mike McGraw