CHICAGO _ Lauri Markkanen got off to a strong first quarter and kept it going, leading all scorers with 24 points and adding six rebounds as the Bulls defeated the Pistons 109-89 on Wednesday to cap a tribute to Luol Deng at the United Center.
After acknowledging frustration with his recent struggles, Markkanen vowed to be more aggressive, and coach Jim Boylen advised before the game to "keep pounding the rock."
Markkanen had both sides of his game working early, scoring seven of the Bulls' first 12 points and making 5 of 8 first-half shots, including both of his 3-point attempts. For the game he shot 7-for-14, including 3-for-4 from the arc.
Shaquille Harrison, making a rare start because of injuries to Chandler Hutchison (sore shin) and Otto Porter Jr. (bruised foot), stepped up big for the Bulls with 15 points, 11 rebounds and five assists.
Tomas Satoransky had 15 points and seven assists, Wendell Carter Jr. had 12 points and 15 rebounds and Coby White also scored 12.
Derrick Rose led the Pistons with 18 points and Blake Griffin had 16.
The Bulls led by as many as 22 after taking a 59-55 halftime lead.
Unlike previous second-half meltdowns, this was one lead they wouldn't relinquish. In fact, they built on it.
At the outset of the third quarter, Harrison capitalized on a Pistons turnover with a driving layup. Satoransky followed with a floater 30 seconds later. Midway through the third, Satoransky nailed back-to-back 3-pointers.
White lobbed an alley-oop to Carter and followed with a 3 to make it 76-62.
Satoransky had an emphatic one-handed jam in the fourth quarter off Harrison's bounce pass. Markkanen's third 3-pointer of the night, off another Harrison assist, made it 99-77.
Harrison led the cleanup crew in the final minute and a half, highlighted by a beautiful turnaround, fadeaway jumper.
The team honored Deng with a video montage in the second quarter, and the crowd gave the two-time All-Star forward a standing ovation as he waved from his club seat. Deng chose a date when Rose would be visiting with the Pistons, and the Chicago native received chants of "M-V-P" from the United Center crowd.
