Despite missing starters, the Detroit Pistons dominated early and defeated the Chicago Bulls. A late Bulls surge faltered as Detroit's bench sealed Chicago's fourth straight loss. The Bulls had no answers for reserves Duncan Robinson and Paul Reed, who were thrust into action due to the injuries.
The Chicago Bulls came into the Wednesday night game against the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena as losers of three straight contests. After the game on Wednesday, the futility record stands at four consecutive games.
The Bulls had a significant advantage coming into the game, as the Pistons were missing four starters due to injuries, but they could never get into sync.
The Bulls lost to the Pistons 124-113.
Paul Reed led the Pistons with 28 points. He also grabbed 13 rebounds and dished out six assists. He also had four steals.
Detroit was also led by Duncan Robinson, who scored 23 points, including seven triples. His two 3-point shots to start the game gave the Pistons an early lead that they would never relinquish. He would foul out in the fourth quarter.
Robinson started in place of Jaden Ivey, who has not played this season due to preseason knee surgery. The Pistons were also without Cade Cunningham (hip), Jalen Duren (ankle) and Tobias Harris (ankle). They also missed two players off of their bench.
The 3-point shots were the main difference in the game for the Bulls, who only hit 36 percent from the land of the triple. With Robinson being as hot as he was the Pistons shot 43 percent from beyond the arc.
Chicago was led by Matas Buzelis who scored 21 points and hit the glass for 14 rebounds, while distributing two assists. Kevin Huerter added 20 points in 27 minutes. Isaac Okoro scored 15 points in a losing effort, but played tenacious defense in the second half to give the Bulls a chance.
Ayo Dosunmu played 21 minutes and scored 12 points off the bench for the Bulls.
The Pistons put the game away in the fourth quarter after the Bulls went on a 19-2 run to close the gap to 95-92. After two free throws from Okoro, the Bulls cut the lead to 95-94.
The run ended at 21-2 in favor of the Bulls. Robinson and Reed took over and put the Bulls away with solid fourth quarters.
The Bulls missed nine free throws and committed two more turnovers than the Pistons, who have improved to 10-2. The Bulls committed 21 turnovers to Detroit's 19. They also gave up an inexcusable 66 points in the paint.
The Bulls will next travel to face the Utah Jazz on Sunday, Oct. 16. Tipoff will be at 7 p.m. central.
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