The Chicago Bulls didn’t need too long before deciding they were going to put on another show for the fans at the United Center. After railroading the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday night, they played host to their longtime rival Detroit Pistons. The results were pretty much the same. After a tight 1st quarter, Chicago began to seize control of the game with fast, athletic offense and surprisingly smothering defense. Trade acquisition DeMar DeRozan was a big part of the fun.
On the cusp of closing out the 3rd quarter with a 25-point lead, DeRozan got the ball at the top of the key. After surveying, he found a lane to the basket and went up for an emphatic slam. It was a true posterizing dunk with authority. What made it all the more impressive? Pistons guard Hamidou Diallo nailed him right in the face, poking him in the eye. It was a blatant foul that thankfully was called.
DeMar DeRozan wasn’t going to be deterred by that.
He’s always been tough and he stayed in the game. That foul did nothing for Detroit’s fortunes either. Chicago continued to roll on their way to another convincing victory. Five different Bulls finished with double-digit points. Nikola Vucevic finished with a double double. The defense suffocated Detroit for several blocks and steals on the night. The latest indication that this is more of a complete team than people realize.
Of course, there is plenty for them to still prove. Chicago has beaten up two pretty bad teams. Their bigger tests are still to come. New York, Boston, Philadelphia, and Utah all loom on the horizon. If they want people to take them seriously? Those are the games they need to win. Games they haven’t won in a long time. The talent is there. Now it’s a matter of asserting themselves.
