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Detroit Pistons at Chicago Bulls: Nikola Mirotic scores 28 as the Bulls win

By Ryne Prinz

Mar 22, 2017; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Jimmy Butler (21) dribbles the ball against Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond (0) during the first half at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 22, 2017; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Jimmy Butler (21) dribbles the ball against Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond (0) during the first half at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports /
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After a two-point overtime loss in Toronto last night, the Chicago Bulls redeemed themselves by blowing out the Detroit Pistons at home.

With Robin Lopez suspended and Cristiano Felicio out with an injury, Fred Hoiberg started Joffrey Lauvergne in Wednesday’s game, alongside Nikola Mirotic, Paul Zipser, Jimmy Butler and Rajon Rondo.

Through the first six minutes or so, each team grabbed four offensive boards with not much defensive rebounding. Due to his size advantage over Lauvergne, Andre Drummond snagged two for himself, resulting in a couple easy putbacks. Lauvergne did take Drummond off the dribble and to the basket on the other end while scoring six points early on.

The Bulls proceeded to go on an 11-0 run over the next few minutes, getting contributions from all around. Butler, who didn’t shoulder the scoring load in the first period, dished out five assists instead. After a quick five points from Detroit forward Jon Leuer, the Pistons pulled the Bulls back within single digits.

With just under three minutes remaining in the first quarter, Hoiberg replaced Lauvergne with Bobby Portis, and like only Bobby Portis could do, he took three shots in the next four Chicago possessions. But unlike Bobby Portis, he hit two of them, giving the Bulls a nine-point lead after one.

Zipser, Michael Carter-Williams, Jerian Grant, Denzel Valentine and Portis started the second, taking the floor with a Detroit lineup fielding all bench players. The quarter started off slowly, with both teams missing shots and turning the ball over. The pace picked up as starters cycled back in. The Pistons cut the lead down to four, but after a Lauvergne jumper and Jimmy’s acrobatic alley-oop lay-in plus a foul, the Bulls held on comfortably.

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    • Joffrey played impressively in the first half, despite facing off against Drummond, an elite rebounder. Lauvergne scored 10 points, dribbling right past the Pistons’ center for easy layups.

    The Bulls would take a 59-53 lead into the break.

    The third quarter was all Niko’s.

    Mirotic shot 5-for-6 in the period, including two 3-pointers. He scored 12 of Chicago’s 32 points in the quarter, as the Bulls took a 19-point lead.

    Detroit struggled mightily to score, as the Bulls defended them better than expected. The Pistons shot 36.8 percent from the floor, missing all four of their 3-point attempts.

    The Bulls advantage would remain more or less 20 the rest of the game. The Pistons players, Andre Drummond in particular, looked flustered all game.

    Normally, the Bulls would steep to their opponents level of player, but the opposite happened tonight. Chicago defended well all game and had one of their better shooting performances all year. Jimmy only scored 16 points, but he did so without missing a shot.

    Mirotic led all scorers with 28, shooting 80 percent and 66.7 percent from the floor and from 3 respectively. Six Bulls scored in double figures. For his lack of resources, Fred did an alright job with the rotation.

    Final. 95. 64. 117. 24

    The Bulls will host the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday night in Chicago.

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