Important victory for the Chicago Bulls in their visit to the Detroit Pistons (114-108). DeMar DeRozan brought out the best version of him again to cut the losing streak that his team was going through. With this victory, the Bulls remain in fourth place in the Eastern Conference and avoid further losing positions in a table that is getting tighter every day.
The final minutes prevented a new chapter in the debacle for the Bulls. The visitors trailed for much of a game in which the Pistons seemed more energetic. Chicago trailed 99-92 with just under nine minutes left. However, just when it seemed the Bulls were at their worst and headed for their sixth straight loss, they turned up the defensive pressure and brought back DeMar DeRozan’s heroics to turn the game around.
DeRozan, after struggling alone in the first half, scored 16 of his 36 points in the fourth quarter. His contribution came mainly from the mid-range shot, although he also contributed from the free throw line. Zach LaVine was the perfect complement. He was misguided from the triple, but still reached 25 points. Zach got 8 of the points from him in the final minutes of the game.
At the end of the meeting, Billy Donovan wanted to highlight DeRozan’s commitment. The Bulls player entered the last rotation early because he felt it was an important moment for the future of the team. During his time in the media, the star showed all his commitment: “He would play the 48 minutes if necessary,” DeRozan acknowledged.
Meanwhile, the Pistons enjoyed a significant advantage with their backup players. His reserves outscored the Bulls with a 43-19 run. Up to three players exceeded double figures in scoring off the bench: Kelly Olynyk, Saben Lee and Hamidou Diallo. The young star of the team, Cade Cunningham, was the best player on the team and contributed 22 points and 6 assists.
In the Bulls key, Billy Donovan’s team now has two days off before a big duel in their own pavilion against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Those from Chicago leave their record at 40-26 and keep their distance against the Celtics and the Cavs themselves, who are their main rivals from now to the end of the season for that fourth place in the Eastern Conference.
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