• Tweet

• Tweet

Typically when the Detroit Pistons and Chicago Bulls get together on the hardwood, more often than not, the Bulls emerge victorious.

Both teams got together on Monday night over at the United Center in a matchup of two teams who couldn’t be more different: Chicago is currently leading the Central Division while Detroit is near the bottom of the standings.

While the Pistons made things intersting for one half, the Bulls – as expected – turned things around with the able assistance of Derrick Rose and Carlos Boozer as they combined for 56 points in leading Chicago to a 95-82 win over Detroit.

The Pistons controlled for the most part the first half thanks to a huge second quarter by Austin Daye as he scored 14 points, making all of his six shots. His offense played no small part in allowing Detroit to take a 55-43 lead going into the intermission.

The Bulls chipped away at and erased the Pistons’ 12-point halftime lead behind Boozer as he scored nine quick points with his jumper tying the game at 61 with 4:54 left in the third period.

Luol Deng’s dunk gave Chicago the lead at 71-70 then Rose took over. He would score the final five points of the quarter on a three-point play and a 15-footer, giving the Bulls a six-point lead going into the fourth.

Rose continued his offensive assault in the final period, scoring on a sweet alley-oop dunk from Ronnie Brewer. Boozer’s jumper with 3:54 left in the game put Chicago up 86-78 and a 3-pointer by Brewer sealed the win for the Bulls.

Rose led the Bulls with 29 points, along with 5 rebounds, 7 assists, 2 steals and a block while Boozer added 27 with 11 rebounds and an assist. Deng chipped in 17 with 8 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals and a block.

The Pistons were led by Tayshaun Prince with 15 points, along with 3 rebounds, 3 assists, a steal and a block while Daye came off the bench to add 14 with 4 rebounds, 2 assists and a block. Chris Wilcox, who took over early in the game for Ben Wallace, chipped in 13 with 9 rebounds and a steal while Greg Monroe secured a double-double, scoring 10 with 11 caroms.

Both teams retrn to action on Wednesday when Chicago (25-12) travels to Charlotte to take on the Bobcats while Detroit (12-25) returns home to host the Memphis Grizzlies.