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Griffin Helps Pistons Knock Off Bulls 112-104

CHICAGO (AP) — Blake Griffin scored 16 of his 27 points in the fourth quarter after going to the locker room with an apparent right leg injury, and the Detroit Pistons rallied to beat the Chicago Bulls 112-104 on Friday night for their fourth straight victory.

Otto Porter Jr., Bruce Brown
Chicago Bulls forward Otto Porter Jr., left, and Detroit Pistons forward Bruce Brown reach for the ball during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, March 8, 2019, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

Andre Drummond added 20 points and 24 rebounds in Detroit's ninth victory in its last 10 games against Chicago. Reggie Jackson scored 21 points, and reserve Langston Galloway finished with 15.

Griffin missed much of the third quarter after he appeared to tweak his right knee early in the second half. But he returned for the start of the fourth and went 7 for 10 from the field to help Detroit improve to 11-2 in its last 13 games.

Zach LaVine scored 24 points for Chicago, which led by as many as 21 in the first half. Otto Porter Jr. had 23 points and eight assists, and Lauri Markkanen finished with 18 points.

Markkanen's layup tied it at 88 with 7:06 left, but Detroit responded with a 10-0 run. Griffin made a layup and Drummond scored on a floater to make it 98-88 with 4:50 remaining.

It was the first half of a rare home-and-home set between the Central Division rivals. The Pistons host the Bulls on Sunday.

Chicago got off to a fast start with a 21-2 run in the second quarter that featured an impressive offensive sequence by Porter. The versatile forward made two foul shots and a pullup jumper before finding Shaquille Harrison for a layup. He then scored six straight points, converting a layup and two jumpers.

LaVine added two more layups to make it 53-37 with 4:50 left in the first half. The Bulls shot 65 percent (28 for 43) on their way to a 66-49 lead at the break.

Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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