National Basketball Association
Chicago 94, Detroit 88
When: 7:00 PM ET, Wednesday, October 20, 2021
Where: Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, Michigan
Officials: #28 Mousa Dagher, #63 Derek Richardson, #39 Tyler Ford
Attendance: 20088

Zach LaVine had 34 points, seven rebounds and four assists and the visiting Chicago Bulls opened their season with a 94-88 victory over the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday.

Chicago has defeated its Central Division rival eight consecutive times. DeMar DeRozan, making his franchise debut after being acquired in a sign-and-trade from San Antonio, supplied 17 points, seven rebounds and three steals.

Nikola Vucevic added 15 points and 15 rebounds, while Lonzo Ball chipped in 12 points and four assists in his Chicago debut. Ball was acquired in a sign-and-trade with New Orleans this summer.

Jerami Grant led the Pistons with 24 points and six rebounds. Saddiq Bey had 13 points, nine rebounds and four assists and Isaiah Stewart added 12 points and eight rebounds. Detroit made just six of 28 3-point attempts and committed 16 turnovers.

Detroit guard Cade Cunningham, the No. 1 pick of this year's draft, did not play due to an ankle sprain.

The Pistons emerged from a poor-shooting first half with a 44-40 lead. Detroit shot 36.7 percent, while Chicago made 41.9 percent of its shots. They shot a combined 5-for-23 on 3-point attempts.

Grant was the only Detroit player in double figures with 13 points. Vucevic already reached a double-double for the Bulls with 10 points and 11 rebounds.

The game remained tight throughout the third quarter. The Pistons committed three turnovers in the final minute, allowing the Bulls to pull ahead 71-69 entering the fourth. Bulls reserve guard Alex Caruso had a pair of steals and an assist during that span.

The Pistons took a 77-76 lead with 8:45 left on a Kelly Olynyk layup. Ball's corner 3 midway through the quarter gave Chicago an 84-82 edge.

DeRozan scored with three minutes left to give Chicago a four-point lead.

Grant's turnaround jumper with 1:28 remaining pulled the Pistons with two points. LaVine reached the 30-point mark on two free throws with 40.9 seconds left.

Grant then missed in the lane and LaVine knocked down two more free throws.

--Field Level Media

Top Game Performances
 
Chicago   Detroit
Zach LaVine 34 Scoring Jerami Grant 24
Lonzo Ball 4 Assists Saddiq Bey 4
Nikola Vucevic 15 Rebounds Saddiq Bey 9
Zach LaVine 11 Free Throws Made Jerami Grant 5
Alex Caruso 4 Steals Cory Joseph 2
Alex Caruso 2 Blocks Hamidou Diallo 1
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Points FG% 3PM-3PA FTM-FTA Assists Rebounds Blocks Steals Turnovers
Chicago 94 43.0 7-23 13-15 18 48 5 8 17
Detroit 88 40.0 6-28 10-13 17 47 5 7 17
Upcoming Games
  • Detroit will play their next game on the road against Chicago. The Pistons have a W/L % of .000 after a win and .000 after a loss.
  • Chicago will play their next game at home against New Orleans. The Bulls have a W/L % of 1.000 after a win and .000 after a loss.