National Basketball Association
Chicago 113, Detroit 82
When: 8:00 PM ET, Monday, December 19, 2016
Where: United Center, Chicago, Illinois
Officials: #38 Michael Smith, #8 Marc Davis, #40 Leon Wood
Attendance: 21400

CHICAGO -- For the first time in nearly two weeks, Chicago Bulls forward Jimmy Butler was able to sit in front of his locker and flash a big smile.

"Everything is better when you make shots," Butler said.

On Monday night, Butler and his teammates made plenty. The Bulls shot 59.8 percent from the field, 50 percent from 3-point range and 100 percent from the free-throw line as they rolled to a 113-82 win over the Detroit Pistons.

Chicago (14-13) snapped a three-game losing streak in style. The Bulls set a season high with 69 points in the first half and posted their second-most lopsided victory of the season.

Bulls point guard Rajon Rondo narrowly missed a triple-double with 10 points, 14 assists and eight rebounds. Power forward Taj Gibson contributed 16 points on 8-for-8 shooting.

"Defensively, we played well," said Dwyane Wade, who made six of 10 shots to finish with 13 points in 22 minutes. "Offensively, the ball went in for us. But it all started from our defensive energy and effort."

Jon Leuer came off the bench to lead the Pistons with 16 points and five rebounds. Tobias Harris added 10 points as the only other Detroit player to score in double digits.

The loss prolonged a miserable stretch for Detroit (14-16), which sustained its third loss in a row and its fourth loss in the past five contests. The Pistons have been outscored by 60 points in the last three games combined.

Detroit coach Stan Van Gundy ripped into his players after the latest ugly loss. He scoffed at the notion that the loss was extra disappointing after a players-only meeting Saturday.

"Team meeting, my (rear)," Van Gundy said. "Like I said before, that stuff means nothing. It's what you do on the court. Talking's easy."

What did Van Gundy say to his group after this loss?

"Look, I have nothing to say," Van Gundy said. "That was a disgusting performance by all of us, me included. It was unprofessional, humiliating, embarrassing, whatever you want to say. It was terrible."

Could lineup changes be in store the next time the Pistons play?

"It's just a matter of who now," Van Gundy said. "I guarantee you on Wednesday night we're not trotting that five out there again."

The Bulls entered the fourth quarter with a 97-63 lead. Van Gundy turned to little-used reserves such as rookie forward Henry Ellenson and 7-foot-3 center Boban Marjanovic as it became apparent that the primary rotation was not going to mount a comeback.

Chicago started fast and maintained its torrid shooting in the second quarter to establish a 69-34 lead at the half. Five Bulls players scored in double digits in the first half to help the team build a 35-point edge.

The Bulls made 17 of their first 21 shots to seize a 35-19 lead at the end of the first quarter. Chicago raced to an 8-0 lead as the Pistons went nearly three minutes before hitting their first basket.

"I loved the attention to detail early," Bulls coach Fred Hoiberg said. "Robin Lopez got us into the defense. People in the top row could hear him calling out to our coverage.

"I thought Rondo got us off to a great start offensively. He was up and down the floor and got 10 assists (by halftime). Jimmy did a great job making simple, easy plays and had seven assists by halftime. It was fun to watch. The guys were out there playing together, and kept their foot on the gas the entire 48 minutes."

The same could not be said for the Pistons, who never led and trailed by as many as 38. Guard Reggie Jackson said the most disappointing aspect of the loss was obvious.

"No fight, and that's the hardest part," Jackson said. "We were backed into a corner and didn't come out swinging. Just laid there. We need to go out there and have pride and actually play defense."

NOTES: Bulls F Taj Gibson made his 27th start of the season despite leaving Friday's game against Milwaukee because of a right hip contusion. Gibson returned to practice Sunday, where he offered a strong defense of embattled coach Fred Hoiberg. ... Pistons C Jon Leuer returned to action after missing Saturday's game against the Indiana Pacers because of back spasms. Leuer led the team with 16 points off the bench. ... Bulls G Michael Carter-Williams and G R.J. Hunter were inactive. Carter-Williams has not played since Oct. 31 because of a sprained left wrist. ... Pistons G Michael Gbinije and F Reggie Bullock were inactive. Gbinije returned to the United Center for the first time since leading Syracuse to the Final Four with a win over Virginia in the 2016 NCAA Tournament.
Top Game Performances
 
Detroit   Chicago
Jon Leuer 16 Scoring Jimmy Butler 19
Ish Smith 7 Assists Rajon Rondo 14
Jon Leuer 5 Rebounds Rajon Rondo 8
Reggie Jackson 3 Free Throws Made Jimmy Butler 6
Reggie Jackson 2 Steals Rajon Rondo 3
Boban Marjanovic 2 Blocks Nikola Mirotic 2
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Points FG% 3PM-3PA FTM-FTA Assists Rebounds Blocks Steals Turnovers
Detroit 82 41.0 3-23 11-13 19 32 3 8 11
Chicago 113 59.8 8-16 7-7 34 46 5 9 13
Upcoming Games
  • Chicago will play their next game at home against Washington. The Bulls have a W/L % of .462 after a win and .571 after a loss.
  • Detroit will play their next game at home against Memphis. The Pistons have a W/L % of .429 after a win and .500 after a loss.