Bulls Beat Pistons in Gordon’s Return, 92-85
With Ben Gordon making his first return to Chicago since signing a five-year, $55 million deal with the Pistons in the offseason, the Bulls got the best of his new team for a night, as Chicago beat the Pistons, 92-85 on Wednesday night.
“I have already moved forward. This was just another game for me. It really wasn’t that big of a deal,” Gordon said. “I moved on a long time ago. I have no bitter feelings toward the Bulls. I did what I had to do. It’s just part of business.”
“It is what it is. It’s not like I won the championship while I was here or anything,” Gordon said. “I just had a couple of good years, so I wasn’t surprised at all. … I expected that, seeing past players come back after going to another team.”
Gordon came off the bench for the Bulls in the first quarter, as he was a game-time decision with a sprained ankle. He finished the first half with five points and three fouls, but exploded in the second half to finish with 18 points for the game.
“Better to play with him than against him, I can tell you that,” said Bulls guard John Salmons. “I chased him around all game. Tough guard. Man, he’s a good player.”
The Pistons, who were down by 10 at the half, cut their deficit to three in the third quarter before the Bulls opened the game back up. PG Derrick Rose scored on an inside bucket, C Joakim Noah knocked down a close-range jumper, Salmons drained a 3-pointer and a layup, and Brad Miller ended the 11-0 run that put the Bulls up 63-49.
The Pistons, who were down 17 entering the fourth quarter, cut the Bulls’ lead to five in the final minute, but could bring it no closer.
