Griffin scores 33 as Detroit Pistons slip by Chicago 118-116

For the second straight game, the Detroit Pistons needed all 48 minutes to secure a victory. Blake Griffin led the charge, scoring 33 points to help Detroit defeat the Chicago Bulls 118-116.

When Detroit Pistons’ owner Tom Gores gave the green light to trade for Blake Griffin last January, it’s safe to assume games like these are what he had in mind.

Griffin carried the Pistons (2-0) to a 118-116 win over the Chicago Bulls (0-2) at the United Center on Saturday night. The power forward scored a team-high 33 points on 12-for-23 shooting, and made five of his seven 3-point attempts.

He also grabbed 12 rebounds and dished out five assists. Six Pistons scored in double figures, as Detroit won its second consecutive game in nail-biting fashion. Ish Smith (15 points, five assists) scored the game-winning bucket on a driving layup with 5.4 seconds remaining.

Griffin scored five points just 46 seconds into the game, the first two coming on a layup that opened the scoring at the 11:44 mark.

After a Reggie Bullock layup gave the Pistons a 7-2 lead, Chicago went on a 10-0 run that included three straight uncontested runners. As was the case against the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday, the Pistons failed to contain the Bulls’ dribble penetration.

Zach LaVine (33 points, three rebounds) cruised to the basket at will, exploiting a Detroit defense that was a step behind for most of the night.

Following a technical foul, Reggie Jackson‘s free throw ignited an 11-0 Pistons’ run. But the Bulls scored eight straight points to close out the quarter and grab a 27-25 lead.

LaVine scored 15 points in the second period. But the Pistons began to distance themselves, and earned their largest lead, 48-38, on an Andre Drummond alley-oop jam with 4:21 to play in the half.

Chicago stormed back by feeding the ball inside. The Bulls scored 34 points in the paint during the first 24 minutes of play. Detroit scored just 14 in that span, but held a 60-58 lead at halftime.

Next, it was Cameron Payne’s turn to frustrate the Pistons. His floater at the 11:50 mark of the third period sparked a 12-6 Bulls run. Chicago regained the lead, 70-66, and Dwane Casey took a timeout after Payne scored a wide-open layup.

It was at this point where Griffin took matters into his own hands. He played the entire third quarter, scoring nine points on multiple drives to the basket. Detroit maintained an 85-84 lead entering the fourth.

The Pistons’ offense was finding their stride, yet the defense wasn’t able to put the game away. With Griffin on the sideline to begin the period, Smith (3-for-5 from deep) and Jackson (18 points, six assists) provided just enough fire power to keep the Bulls at bay.

Griffin returned to score eight points in the final quarter, and Smith’s 3-pointer with 1:47 to go gave Detroit a 113-106 edge.

But the Bulls refused to go away, and LaVine’s triple from the top of the key tied the game at 116 with 24.6 seconds left.

Smith would score the go-ahead layup for Detroit, and Griffin poked the ball out of LaVine’s hands before he could attempt a game-winning 3-pointer in the final seconds.

The Detroit Pistons will return to Little Caesars Arena for the next three games. They’re back in action Tuesday night when the Philadelphia 76ers come to town. Tipoff is slated for 7 p.m. on NBA TV.