Bulls-Pistons: Chicago Steals One from Detroit

In a season full of late game meltdowns, missed buzzer-beaters, and overtime losses, the Chicago Bulls finally stole one back.

Down by as much as 14 well into the fourth quarter Tuesday night, the Bulls simply refused to lose. A clutch Ben Gordon four-point play on a do-or-die possession gave the Bulls a three-point lead. Unlike last week in Dallas, the Bulls were able to shut the Pistons down on the other end of the floor.

There are games in every season that stick out. Call them turning points, call them must-wins, call them whatever you want, but for teams that have successful seasons, for teams that surprise people, these are the type of games that get them there.

For the first time all season, for the first time in a few seasons, the Bulls refused to lose. They dug out of a huge hole after an abysmal third quarter performance. Tyrus Thomas and Derrick Rose made every big play they needed to down the stretch and the Pistons shooters went ice cold when it mattered most.

In the midst of the Amar’e Stoudemire trade talk, Tyrus Thomas is emerging as a star caliber player. Yes Bulls fans, you heard it, Tyrus Thomas is becoming a star before our eyes. He is a double-double machine, and a legitimate scoring option.

For all the games the Bulls have blown this year, they finally got one back. Coupled with the Nets' loss the Bulls now have 29 losses, as do the Bucks and Nets.

With one more game remaining before the break the Bulls can probably snag hold of the eighth spot with a win Thursday against Miami.

Only time will tell whether this win is a turning point, or a last gasp, but no one can deny that the Bulls are a different team than the one that was booed out of Chicago a few weeks ago.

Tyrus Thomas looks like a new guy, Kirk Hinrich helps the team off the bench, and even joking Joakim Noah is putting up decent production. The Bulls trailed the Pistons 90-80 late in the fourth. Tyrus Thomas made a huge three-point play and the comeback was on.

Hopefully the game reminded Vinny Del Negro that Ben Gordon is not afraid to make the big shot. D-Rose isn’t ready yet; let Big Shot Ben have a chance at the buzzer.

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