Rose, Gordon lead Bulls' comeback win over Pistons
The No. 6 seed in the Eastern Conference was well within reach, and the bumbling, chemistry-free Detroit Pistons were doing little to stand in the way.
But for most of Monday's game, it seemed as though every time the Bulls had a chance to take control, they would cough up another offensive rebound or force a shot after a single player held the ball for more than 10 seconds.
Leave it to rookie Derrick Rose to give the Bulls the boost they needed down the stretch. Rose scored 9 straight points, tying the score on a 3-point play with 42.1 seconds left. Then Ben Gordon netted the game-winner, driving past Tayshaun Prince for a layup with 14.1 seconds left, giving the Bulls an important 91-88 victory at the Palace of Auburn Hills.
The win means the Bulls will avoid a first-round playoff matchup with Cleveland and LeBron James. That duty will now fall to the Pistons.
Detroit on downturn
Detroit has been to the Eastern Conference finals the last six seasons but is just a shell of its former self. Richard Hamilton demonstrated how desperate the Pistons have become when he tried - and failed - twice in less than a minute to flop his way into a foul call on Gordon.
On Detroit's final possession, Rasheed Wallace barely hit the rim on a 3-point attempt. Antonio McDyess grabbed the rebound but rushed a fallaway jumper that hit the side of the backboard with about four seconds left. Rose got the rebound and added a free throw with 2.8 seconds left.
The Bulls (41-40) were frustrated by a number of foul calls, and Brad Miller was ejected with 2:23 left after complaining his way to a second technical foul.
"We knew Detroit was going to play a physical game, but it is frustrating when it is called a certain way and you're getting smacked around," Miller said.
But Rose kept his cool to finish with 24 points and 8 assists. Center Joakim Noah also came up big, with 13 rebounds and 11 points. John Salmons (3-for-11, 7 points) looked like he could use some time off to rest a groin strain.
Magic's kingdom awaits?
If the Bulls can beat Toronto at the United Center on Wednesday, they'll wrap up the No. 6 seed and a first-round matchup against Orlando if Philadelphia loses one of its final two games. The Sixers host Boston tonight and play at Cleveland on Wednesday.
On paper, Orlando seems like the best matchup for the Bulls. Facing center Dwight Howard is no picnic, but the Magic has lost three straight and is facing health issues. Forward Hedo Turkoglu turned his ankle Saturday, but the team says it's mild. Forward Rashard Lewis skipped Monday's loss in Milwaukee with tendinitis in his knee. The Magic's best guard, Jameer Nelson, is out for the season with a shoulder injury.
mmcgraw@dailyherald.com
Bulls 91, Pistons 88
Goodbye Cleveland: The win at Detroit guaranteed that the Bulls will not finish eighth in the East and won't have to face LeBron James and Cleveland in the first round of the playoffs. The Cavaliers clinched the league's best record by beating Indiana on Monday.
Backcourt bonanza: Rookie Derrick Rose scored 10 of the Bulls' final 12 points, but Ben Gordon hit the game-winner, a driving lay in while getting clobbered by Antonio McDyess (no foul) with 14.6 seconds left.
Anger management: Upset by a number of questionable calls, Brad Miller was tossed out with 2:23 remaining and Tyrus Thomas was hit with a flagrant foul midway through the third quarter. The Bulls finally got a whistle, though, when Rose tied the game on a driving lay in and 3-point play with 42.1 seconds left.
Opponent awaits: If the Bulls beat Toronto at home on Wednesday, they'll need one loss by Philadelphia in its final two games (Boston at home, Cleveland on the road) to wrap up the No. 6 seed and a first-round matchup with slumping Orlando. If the Bulls get the No. 7 seed, they'll face the Celtics.
All about the defense: The Pistons scored just 32 points and hit 9-of-31 shots in the second half.
- Mike McGraw