© Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
Chicago Bulls get back on track with a 119-108 win over the Detroit Pistons
The Chicago Bulls got back on the winning track with a 119-108 victory over the Detroit Pistons on Sunday night at the United Center. It was a hard-earned win for the Bulls, which showed signs of rust from the three-day break and trailed by 11 early on. However, they found their rhythm in the second, outsourcing the Pistons, 33-19, to take a 55-50 halftime lead.
Detroit kept on coming in the fourth, but clutch makes from DeMar DeRozan and Nikola Vucevic kept the Pistons at bay. Chicago rose to 4-6 while Detroit lost their eighth game in a row, falling to 2-9.
Passion to win
Whereas many around the league chastised the Bulls for having a players-only meeting after the first game of the season, Bulls star DeMar DeRozan explained that it came from an inherent passion to win and compete.
“The passion, I don't think a lot of people get to see within the guys," DeRozan said. “Just wanting to figure it out. On the outside a lot of people look at as a lot of chaos, the whole team meeting thing and everything. Everyone in this locker room wants to win.”
DeRozan took the lead on Sunday, scoring 29 points on 11-of-19 shooting. And while his other offensive stats were lacking, Deebo was dialed in on defense, registering four blocks.
Nikola Vucevic put up 21 points and 12 rebounds while Zach LaVine had 19 markers. Coby White added 16 points and seven assists.
Reserves stepped up
The Pistons were within three, 94-91, in the fourth after a Jaden Ivey layup. And for all of the Bulls’ crunchtime woes this season, it looked like Chicago might cave in again. However, Patrick Williams split his charities while Andre Drummond canned a layup before DeRozan sank a midrange jumper to raise their lead to eight, 99-91.
The Pistons last threatened at 102-98 after two free throws from star guard Cade Cunningham. But Ayo Dosunmu scored a transition layup off a gorgeous Euro-step, while LaVine swished a triple to bring the Bulls’ lead back to nine, 107-98, with four minutes left.
