Pippen Ain't Easy
Fansided

Two takeaways from the Bulls loss to the Pistons

By Khobi Price

CHICAGO, USA - APRIL 11: Sean Kilpatrick (0) of Chicago Bulls in action against Anthony Tolliver (43) of Detroit Pistons during the NBA game between Chicago Bulls and Detroit Pistons at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois, United States on April 11, 2018. (Photo by Bilgin S. Sasmaz/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, USA - APRIL 11: Sean Kilpatrick (0) of Chicago Bulls in action against Anthony Tolliver (43) of Detroit Pistons during the NBA game between Chicago Bulls and Detroit Pistons at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois, United States on April 11, 2018. (Photo by Bilgin S. Sasmaz/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

The Chicago Bulls lost to the Detroit Pistons 119-87 Wednesday in the United Center. Here’s my one like and dislike from the game.

The Chicago Bulls lost to the Detroit Pistons 119-87 Wednesday in the United Center. The Pistons won the season series 3-1.

Tank-o-meter

The Chicago Bulls finished the 2017-18 campaign with a 27-55 record. They are tied with the Sacramento Kings for the sixth worst record in the association.

Fun Fact #1

Guard Sean Kilpatrick scored 14 points against the Pistons. He averaged 23.4 points per 36 minutes on 43 percent shooting from the field and 39 percent shooting from beyond the arc in his nine games with the Chicago Bulls. Only three others players matched those statistical benchmarks per 36 minutes of play.

Fun Fact #2

Forward Lauri Markkanen finished the season strong for the Chicago Bulls. He averaged 18.9 points per game on 50 percent shooting from the field and beyond the arc in his last seven games of the season.

Like #1: Markkanen finishing strong

This like can go one of two ways. I could be referring to this dunk from last nights contest.

Or, I could be talking about how Markkanen shot the lights out of the ball to close out the season. Nonetheless, the rookie forward had an impressive debut season and finished the year out strong despite absences from some of his most talented teammates.

Markkanen proved to be as good as a shooter as advertised coming out of college. He knocked down 36.2 percent of his 3-pointers and broke Kirk Hinrich’s record for most 3-pointers made by a Chicago Bulls rookie.

Markkanen proved to be more than just a shooter. He displayed the ability to take guys off the dribble, maneuver through traffic, take advantage of smaller players in the post and play solid defense. I’m not entirely sure what Markkanen will become. But, he will definitely be a special player in the NBA.

Like #2: 4-game losing streak

Two likes for a loss? Sure, why not? The Chicago Bulls couldn’t help but get in their own way down the stretch of the season. A brief 3-game winning streak prevented them from jumping into the top-5 of the tank-o-thon race.

Alas, finishing tied at No. 6 isn’t the worst outcome. For a moment, it seemed as if they were going to finish with the No. 8 or No. 9 record in the league.

The four-game losing streak to conclude the season will certainly help the team’s lottery odds. It was a bizarre season for the Chicago Bulls. With two first round draft picks and major free agency decisions looming, the offseason should be just as odd.

Home/Bulls News