Nov. 11--The summary
Derrick Rose returned from missing four of five games to sprained ankles and posted 24 points and seven assists in 33 minutes as the Bulls downed the Pistons 102-91 Monday night at the United Center. Joakim Noah added 13 points, 14 rebounds and six assists. And Pau Gasol posted his fifth double-double with 17 points and 15 rebounds.
Turning point
After the Pistons whittled what once stood at a 19-point deficit to 90-88, Gasol calmly sank a baseline jumper with 2 minutes, 25 seconds left. After a missed Josh Smith 3-pointer, Jimmy Butler dropped in a 3-pointer at the other end.
Tribune's player of game:
Rose. Beyond his statistics, his mere presence changed the complexion of the offense, which played at a faster pace. Rose put the exclamation point on the victory by backing down former teammate D.J. Augustin into the lane and dropping a one-handed turnaround over him with 53.8 seconds left for an eight-point lead.
Big number
49. Rebounds grabbed by the Bulls, three more than a Pistons team that is strong in that department. That snapped a streak of six straight games in which the Bulls had been outrebounded, the longest of the Tom Thibodeau era.
The quote, part I
"It was a more concentrated effort. Guys were putting their bodies on people and pursuing the ball. They were two-hand rebounding. It was good." -- Thibodeau on the rebounding edge
The quote, part II
"He was confident and playing his style of basketball. He's so fast and gets out in transition to get guys layups and dunks. It's always a plus to have him on your side." -- Jimmy Butler on Rose
The quote, part III
"I still have a ways to go. But I'm going to get there." -- Joakim Noah, on his health and conditioning
Up next
At Raptors, 7 p.m. Thursday.
