Backup centers help Chicago Bulls break losing streak
On paper, this was a colossal mismatch - Detroit's Andre Drummond against the Bulls' backup centers.
The Bulls had lost six in a row and were coming off a loss where Indiana got whatever easy baskets they wanted in the paint.
As it turned out, Luke Kornet and Daniel Gafford weren't going down without a fight. Kornet had his best game of the season and the Bulls snapped the skid with a 108-99 victory Saturday at Detroit.
The Bulls finished a 4-0 season sweep of the Pistons. The Bulls have collected 9 of their 14 wins against Detroit, Atlanta and Memphis but don't play any of those teams again the rest of the season.
The most shocking stat in the NBA on Saturday was probably Kornet and Gafford outscoring Drummond 29-9. Drummond was ejected in the third quarter for throwing the ball and hitting Gafford in the back of the head. The play began with Gafford scoring in the post against Drummond; he let out a scream and Drummond responded by tossing the ball at Gafford's head.
To his credit, Gafford kept running down the court after getting beaned. Officials at first called double technicals, then checked video and announced Drummond's ejection.
The Pistons big man has posted a few 20-20 games against the Bulls in his career, but this time he left with 9 points and 4 rebounds.
Center Wendell Carter Jr. missed his third game with a right-ankle sprain. Gafford got the start, but Kornet gave the Bulls a huge boost in the opening quarter. He scored 12 points, scoring in the post a few times and knocking down 2 of 3 shots from 3-point land.
"I was just sort of playing normal basketball," Kornet told reporters after the game. "I just happened to get the ball in some good opportunities and making the shots. I don't think it was really anything special. I don't try to go out and do anything too much individually. Just guys were making the right plays and a lot of times it was just me ending up with the open shot."
The Bulls signed Kornet as a low-priced free agent this summer, after he spent two years bouncing between the New York and Westchester Knicks. He started the season in the rotation, didn't play well, missed a few games recovering from sinus surgery and hasn't played much at all since early November.
"I don't think I was necessarily surprised (to play so much)," he said. "With Wendell out, we need people to step up. You've just got to do your best to stay ready. Honestly, the beginning of the season was really disappointing and difficult, going through some stuff. It's good just to be able to help the team because that's what I was brought here to do. It's good to have a night like this."
Kornet's father, Frank, played in the NBA and also was a college teammate of former Bulls center Will Perdue at Vanderbilt. Luke Kornet grew up in Texas and also played at Vanderbilt. He's a very good 3-point shooter for a 7-foot-2 center.
"Luke Kornet was brought here for his character," coach Jim Boylen said. "He had a very difficult October and November and December. He kept working and he battled through. We felt he was a guy who could play in the pocket, he can also pop and shoot. He's a very good passer and he can rim protect. I'm happy for Luke because he's really been grinding, he's been doing everything extra."
Derrick Rose led the Pistons with 20 points. Detroit has been hampered by injuries all season, with Blake Griffin, Reggie Jackson and Luke Kennard all missing Saturday.
• Twitter: @McGrawDHBulls