The summary
It’s not often an NBA game swings from a 10-point deficit to a 19-point lead and back to a 20-point deficit. But that’s what Saturday night’s 107-91 Bulls’ loss to the Pistons featured. After trailing by 10 early, the Bulls used a 23-4 run in the second quarter to establish control. But the Pistons stormed back with a 27-5 third-quarter spurt and kept pouring it on in the fourth. Pau Gasol had 27 points and 10 rebounds for his league-leading 46th double-double and six Pistons hit double figures.
Turning point
The Pistons absolutely buried the Bulls over the final seven minutes of the third quarter. The Bulls failed to close out on shooters in halfcourt defense and consistently were beat in transition defense.
Key number
19. The Bulls managed just 19 points over the final 19 minutes.
Tribune player of game
With apologies to Caron Butler, who turned back the clock with several jumpers early en route to 20 points, Reggie Jackson led the comeback. He burned the Bulls with 22 points and 11 assists and repeatedly beat the Bulls in transition.
The quote
“I thought we did a lot of good things to build the lead. But you can’t let your guard down in this league, particularly against a team that is going to shoot 3-pointers the way they do. They can make up ground quickly and they did. It’s disappointing. I thought we got frustrated.” Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau
The quote II
“Ups and downs have been pretty crazy all year. We’re disappointed. But we have to fight back. We have a big one on Monday (against the Hornets).” — Noah
Up next
Vs. Hornets, 7 p.m. Monday
