Big Ben is Bulls' shooting star
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. -- The Bulls knew right away this was a different kind of night. Their two struggling starters showed some skill.
Ben Wallace grabbed 8 rebounds in the first quarter against the Detroit Pistons on Friday, and Kirk Hinrich knocked down 4 of his first 5 shots.
But no one could have imagined the surprise Wallace had in store. The notoriously poor free-throw shooter left jaws agape at the Palace of Auburn Hills by burying 8 consecutive foul shots to help the Bulls secure a 98-91 victory.
"That's one thing about this game: Sometimes things just happen," Wallace said. "There's no rhyme or reason, they just happen. They happened for us tonight."
Wallace, who spent six seasons with the Pistons, owns a career free-throw percentage of 41.6 and was shooting 33.3 percent (10-for-30) this season entering Friday's contest. The 8 free throws tied his career high.
"He wanted this one," teammate Chris Duhon said in the locker room. "I knew he was going to make those. He was talking about it before the game."
"I might not make none tomorrow," Wallace said. "But I made them tonight. The shot felt good. Anytime you get a couple to go in for you, it definitely helps you out."
It's way too soon to say the Bulls (6-11) have moved beyond their early-season struggles, but they've managed to find their old form against Detroit. The Bulls are now 2-0 against the first-place Pistons but otherwise winless against winning teams.
Tonight, they'll be back at the United Center for their first look at the revamped Boston Celtics, who improved to 16-2 with a blowout win over Toronto on Friday.
"I feel we have a lot of confidence right now, so I believe we're starting to play like we play," forward Andres Nocioni said. "We try to move the ball, drive to the basket, take the open shot and play hard on defense."
Nocioni took on the unusual role of setup man Friday. The Bulls tried to match him up against one of the Pistons' aging big men, Rasheed Wallace or Antonio McDyess. Nocioni was able to drive to the basket for a team-high 22 points and added 5 assists.
"We did a good job of using Noc in a mismatch," Luol Deng said. "We were just wondering when they were going to go small."
Deng added 17 points, Duhon scored 12 for the third consecutive game, and rookie Joakim Noah (11 points) had another good night off the bench.
Wallace finished with 13 rebounds, 10 points and 4 blocks, while Hinrich scored all of his 9 points in the first 6:02 of the contest.
The Bulls headed into the fourth quarter clinging to a 72-71 lead, then took command by scoring on their next five possessions. Noah recorded 5 straight points to give the visitors a 79-71 advantage. Twice down the stretch Detroit closed within 3, but Nocioni drove for a 3-point play, then found Deng for an open jumper.
The Pistons (13-6) had been on a roll, winning five straight games by an average of 22 points. The Bulls won for the fourth time in five games.
"They played how they play: They outworked us. They beat us in the hustle game," said Chauncey Billups, who led Detroit with 27 points.
Tonight's tipoff
Bulls vs. Boston Celtics at the United Center, 7:30 p.m.
TV: Channel 9
Radio: WMVP 1000-AM
Update: The Bulls have won eight straight against the Celtics, but this is their first look at Boston's "Big Three" since Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen joined Paul Pierce. The three scoring averages are similar, with Pierce leading the way at 20.9 points. Ex-Miami roughhouse James Posey is shooting 53 percent from 3-point range.
Fast facts: The Big Three have stood tall on defense. Boston led the league in opponents' points per game (88.4), field-goal percentage (.414) and 3-point percentage (.311) heading into Friday's game against Toronto.
Next: Seattle SuperSonics at the United Center, 7:30 p.m. Tuesday
-- Mike McGraw