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Bulls 115, Pistons 111: Chicago survives crunch time thriller to start season 1-0

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Bulls vs. Pistons

1-0.

For all the consternation about the slow starts in preseason (and last year), the Chicago Bulls seemed to shake that off pretty quickly in their season opener against the Detroit Pistons.

Jumping on the Pistons from the start, Chicago built up a 23-point lead in the first half thanks to the execution of the keys Billy Donovan has harped on all preseason: pace and physicality.

Moving up the floor and across the timeline in under two seconds on makes and misses, Josh Giddey and Tre Jones were pushing the pace, getting into the teeth of the defense and finishing around the rim or spraying it out to shooters.

The Pistons forged a comeback to tie the game at 105 with 2:54 left in the fourth quarter despite entering the period down 15. After trading buckets for a few minutes, the Bulls were able to survive in thrilling fashion, winning 115-111.

Nikola Vucevic led the way for the Bulls with 28 points and 14 rebounds. He shot 11-of-14 from the field and made 4-of-6 threes.

Giddey was effective getting into the paint and making plays — he drew nine foul shots, including the game-saving pair with 13.8 seconds to go, en route to 19 points. He also led the team with 11 assists. The downside? He had six turnovers.

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Matas Buzelis tweaked his ankle in the third quarter but was able to finish out the game. He continues to impress, building on his successful preseason, with 21 points on 7-of-12 shooting, including 7-of-7 from the line, with three blocks, and this poster dunk:

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Vucevic did not look good in the preseason. He was 11-of-32 over the course of the four games he played, scoring a total of 27 points and never scoring more than 13 in a single game. He had 28 in the opener.

Vucevic was critical to the Bulls’ offense last season, trailing the play and walking into threes behind the frenetic transition offense. He shot a career-high 40.2 percent from three, just the second time in his 14-year career that he exceeded that marker. With defenses selling out to recover to him at the top of the key, he was able to attack closeouts and make plays with a five-on-four advantage.

Entering his age-35 season, it was cause for concern with how poorly he shot the ball in the preseason. But in the first half, Vucevic exploded for 15 points and 12 rebounds, making three of four three-point attempts, only missing a quick trigger heat check.

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The defense remains an obstacle around which the Bulls will have to work, but maybe Donovan will continue to get more than the sum of his parts on that end again this season. — Will Gottlieb

Vucevic reminded everyone that a longtime veteran sleepwalking through preseason games doesn’t matter all that much. He looked fairly checked out and inefficient in his preseason minutes. And some Bulls fans were ready to call him cooked. Some of that, I’m sure, is tied to his ever-limited rim protection skills, serving fans a fresh reminder.

But the dude had 15 points and 12 rebounds at halftime, and shot well from deep. Respect.

Speaking of rebounds, credit to the Bulls for owning the glass against a very physical Pistons team. Even without Zach Collins and his fractured wrist sitting on the bench in street clothes, the Bulls put forth a great team effort on the boards. Billy Donovan preached about improving their offensive rebounding, which was among the worst in the league last season. The Bulls having an edge in offensive rebounds – and second chance points – against Detroit is a great start in that endeavor. — Matt Peck

That 1st half was fun. The Bulls came out smoking. They were hitting tough shots and Vucevic was on point. He couldn’t miss. They attacked the Pistons and made the refs call fouls for them. Their aggression paid dividends.

Jalen Duren had ZERO rebounds in the 1st half. ZEE.ROW. Crazy.

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Jones is as advertised. When the Pistons came out in the 3rd Quarter with an 8-0 run, Jones went on a 5-0 on his own, which led to a Vucevic 3 and bumped the lead up to 17. That’s winning stuff right there.

The game was won and lost at the free-throw line. Great job by the Bulls

Buzelis is gonna be something to behold. Keep watching. — Big Dave

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