Chicago Bulls: Complete team effort helps in 20-point win over Pistons

A 109-89 home win at the United Center for the Chicago Bulls over the Detroit Pistons came thanks to four of five starters finishing in double figures.

The Chicago Bulls got the complete team effort they needed to come out on top on Nov. 20 in the second meeting of the regular season with the Detroit Pistons. This meeting came at the United Center and tipped off at 7:00 p.m. CT. It was also the first time that former Bulls star wing Luol Deng and a teammate of his, 2011 NBA MVP point guard Derrick Rose.

Deng and D-Rose were two of the biggest stars the Bulls had to offer in the early 2010’s, and they reunited at the United Center tonight. It was also yet another big night for D-Rose in trying to lead this Pistons team that is really starting to dip down in the Eastern Conference standings. Both the Pistons and the Bulls came into this night with just four wins (Detroit one less loss than Chicago).

This was a much needed win for both teams, each who had playoff aspirations entering the regular season. Yet, the Bulls got the best of the Pistons on this night. Multiple Bulls players had breakout performances, including combo guard Shaquille Harrison and slumping power forward Lauri Markkanen.

However, D-Rose was the leading scorer for the Pistons in this game and he came off the bench. He finished the game with 18 points, three rebounds, two assists, one steal, and three turnovers. With how good of a facilitator D-Rose is, it was weird to see him finish with 18 points and just two dishes. More turnovers than assists isn’t usual for him.

The monster of the paint, Pistons center Andre Drummond, shot a measly 3-of-10 from the field but finished with 14 rebounds, two steals, and three blocks. Slowing down Drummond in the paint was a huge key to the Bulls success tonight.

The Bulls did a great job altogether of defending the Pistons as they shot just 33.7 percent from the field and less than 25 percent from three-point range. They also generated two more turnovers than they coughed up against the Pistons.

Moreover, the leading scorer for the Bulls was Markkanen with his 24. He also finished up with six rebounds, one steal, two blocks, and just one turnover. Markkanen shot 7-of-14 from the field and finally got going from downtown, shooting 3-of-4 from range.

Harrison and Tomas Satoransky each added 15 points. Center Wendell Carter Jr. had himself a nice night with 12 points, 15 rebounds, one steal, and one block. Rookie point guard Coby White was a perfect 3-of-3 from three-point range as he got cooking in the scoring department once again off the bench.

All in all, the Bulls came up with this big 109-89 victory in a big spot since the schedule ahead won’t get much easier. They also dominated the Pistons on the glass (winning the rebounding battle 55-34) and shot better than 50 percent from three-point land. These trends under head coach Jim Boylen are all awesome if they stick around for the rest of the month of November and beyond.

Next up for the Bulls is yet another matchup against a prominent former member of this team. The Bulls (now with a record of 5-10) will take on star small forward Jimmy Butler and the Miami Heat (with a record of 10-3) on Nov. 22 at home at the United Center.

At least the upcoming road trip features winnable games after facing the Heat against the likes of the Charlotte Hornets, Golden State Warriors, Portland Trail Blazers, and Sacramento Kings.