The Detroit Pistons closed the regular season with a loss to the Chicago Bulls 103-81. The Pistons kept it close the first three quarters with the Bulls pulling away in the fourth quarter.

The Pistons played a more direct on offense with Killian Hayes leading the charge in the first quarter. He finished the game with 26 points, six assists and seven rebounds while aggressively seeking to score more than searching for teammates.

Jaden Ivey chipped in sixteen points, three assists and three rebounds before fouling out. It brings to close a stellar rookie campaign which played out ahead of expectations for Ivey. He’s averaged 20 points, 7.7 assists and four rebounds per game his last twenty, with no sign of a rookie wall at all this year.

The Bulls were led by veteran stars Zach Lavine who scored 17 and DeMar DeRozan with sixteen as they prepare for a date in the Play-In Tournament.

The Pistons had an advantage on the boards 59-48 thanks to deploying the two big lineup of James Wiseman and Jalen Duren. Coach Dwane Casey has remarked they “cant’ lose the rebounding battle” when playing big in the front court. Wiseman pulled down twelve rebounds to go with eleven points while Duren led the team with fifteen rebounds.

Season Long Woes

But defense was an issue as it has been all season for the young Detroit Pistons. They were outscored 60-38 in the paint, and 26-11 in fast break points which was an issue all game. No, all season. The Bulls defense made it extremely tough blocking seven shots and lopsidedly stripped the Pistons bare. They finished with a 15-1 steals advantage over the Pistons which highlighted a lot of issues they faced on the year. Whether they were healthy or not, which leads many to believe defense will be a big part of what Troy Weaver targets to improve.