Bulls Snap Out of Recent Slump, NBA Scores

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Published on December 20 2016 6:14 am
Last Updated on December 20 2016 6:15 am

By ESPN

For the Chicago Bulls, snapping out of their recent slump was as simple as putting the ball in the basket.

Jimmy Butler scored 19 points, Rajon Rondo had 10 points, 14 assists and eight rebounds, and the Bulls beat the Detroit Pistons 113-82 on Monday night to end a three-game losing streak.

"Everything looks better when you're making shots," Butler said. "If you're not making shots, it's hard to win."

Taj Gibson added 16 points, Robin Lopez had 14 and Dwyane Wade, Doug McDermott and Nikola Mirotic had 13 apiece for Chicago, which had lost six of eight.

Jon Leuer scored 16 points for the Pistons, who have dropped three straight and four of five.

"We got crushed," Detroit coach Stan Van Gundy said. "It was a disgusting performance by all of us, me included. I mean, it was unprofessional, embarrassing, humiliating. Whatever you want to say, it was terrible.

"It looks to me like a lack of effort and a lack of heart. And if you don't play hard, you're not going to have any confidence. We looked like we were hoping the game would be easy tonight, and it wasn't. And we just caved."

After scoring just 69 points in a 26-point loss to Milwaukee on Friday, the Bulls busted out for 69 points in the first two quarters, their best for any half this season.

Chicago, which entered tied for sixth-worst in the NBA with a .436 field-goal percentage, made 17 of 21 shots (81 percent) in taking a 35-19 lead at the end of the first quarter.

The Bulls had 15 assists on their 17 field goals, with Rondo (seven) and Butler (six) leading the way.

"That ball was moving so rapidly and everybody was getting rhythm shots," Butler said. "When you see your first few go in, it's a long night for whoever's guarding you."

The Bulls still were shooting a blistering 72.7 percent at halftime -- they led 69-34 -- and even managed to knock down 4 of 6 3-pointers, which had been a problem during their recent struggles.

The lead was 97-63 entering the fourth quarter, and the Pistons offered little resistance from there. None of the Chicago starters played in the fourth.

"Give the guys a lot of credit for stepping up," Bulls coach Fred Hoiberg said. "Last week was an embarrassing week for everybody."


Monday, December 19 Scoreboard

Indiana 107, Washington 105

Chicago 113, Detroit 82

Atlanta 110, Oklahoma City 108

Minnesota 115, Phoenix 108

Denver 117, Dallas 107


Tuesday, December 20 Schedule (All Times Central)

New Orleans at Philadelphia, 6 p.m.

Los Angeles Lakers at Charlotte, 6 p.m.

Brooklyn at Toronto, 6:30 p.m.

Indiana at New York, 6:30 p.m.

Orlando at Miami, 6:30 p.m.

Cleveland at Milwaukee, 7 p.m.

Boston at Memphis, 7 p.m.

San Antonio at Houston, 7 p.m.

Denver at Los Angeles Clippers, 9:30 p.m.

Utah at Golden State, 9:30 p.m.

Portland at Sacramento, 9:30 p.m.