Bulls overcome rough start to beat Pistons
For a while, it appeared the biggest news on Friday at the United Center would be the return of Richard Hamilton against his former Detroit Pistons squad.
Shortly before pregame introductions, though, Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau pulled the plug and decided to save Hamilton’s return for at least two more days.
Then once the game tipped off, it appeared the Bulls were going to suffer another homecourt letdown. The Pistons knocked down 8 of their first 10 shots and jumped to an early 18-10 advantage.
When the Bulls’ defense settled in, the pace slowed to a crawl and the home team handled it well. Detroit scored just 10 points in both the second and fourth quarters as the Bulls pulled out an 83-71 victory.
“We played well in Atlanta (on Wednesday), so you come home, you’re back playing in front of your fans,” forward Luol Deng said. “So what you worry about is just thinking that you’re automatically going to win.”
In their previous four home games, the Bulls lost to Denver and Portland, and needed a last-second putback to topple Toronto in overtime. So relatively speaking, this win was a breeze.
Rookie guard Brandon Knight (16 points) hit a jumper with 4:49 remaining to bring the Pistons within 75-71. The Bulls scored their next three baskets off offensive rebounds and tossed a shutout defensively.
“We found a way,” center Joakim Noah said. “It wasn’t a pretty game, but we found away to get another win. That’s the only thing that matters right now.”
Deng led the Bulls with 20 points, while Noah finished with 19 points and 12 rebounds. Carlos Boozer contributed 13 points and 11 boards as the Bulls outrebounded Detroit 53-37.
The Bulls (42-11) beat the Pistons for the 14th straight time and 11th in a row at the United Center. In 3 losses to the Bulls this season, Detroit has averaged just 74 points per game.
Thibodeau maintained after the game it was his decision to keep Hamilton on the bench. The longtime Pistons shooting guard has been out since March 5 with a bruised right shoulder and has played in just 16 of 53 games this season.
“He’s real close,” Thibodeau said. “Right now we have minimal contact in practice, so that’s where it becomes difficult, to read where he is in terms of taking hits. He’s going to get hit out there when he’s coming off screens. The contact is part of the game. We’re playing it safe. It was more my call than his.”
There was some talk after the game about an espn.com report that claimed Thibodeau’s camp is miffed about the lack of a contract extension from the Bulls. He originally signed a two-year deal and the Bulls have an option for next season.
“I don’t know where that’s coming from and I’m not worried about any of that,” Thibodeau said. “I’m under contract. I’m fine with everything here.”
It’s hard to believe a coach who probably signs get-well cards with the phrase, “the next game is all that matters,” would be worried about his contract with 13 dates left in the regular season. Veteran Bulls fans will recall the team’s tendency to engage in needless drama before signing Phil Jackson and Scott Skiles to extensions.
Inside the locker room, Noah ran with the question and delivered a call for action.
“I think Thibs really changed the philosophy around here,” he said. “I know without Thibs, we wouldn’t be in this position right now. If you ask me, I’d go to bat for Thibs any day.”
mmcgraw@dailyherald.com