Pistons fall to Bulls

Chicago's Derrick Rose (1) goes to the basket past Detroit's Rodney Stuckey. ASSOCIATED PRESS Enlarge

Former Pistons teammates Dennis Rodman, left, and Isiah Thomas share a laugh during the halftime ceremony to retire Rodman's No. 10 jersey. ASSOCIATED PRESS Enlarge

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — Derrick Rose scored 13 of his 27 points in the first quarter and had a key assist in the final minute of the game, helping the Chicago Bulls hold off the Detroit Pistons 101-96 Friday night.

The Eastern Conference-leading Bulls enjoyed a comfortable lead for much of the game but the lowly Pistons pulled within three a couple times late in the final period.

Rose made a perfect pass to set up Ronnie Brewer's layup for a six-point lead with 34 seconds left, and the MVP candidate made two free throws with 5.8 seconds remaining to seal the win.

Chicago's Carlos Boozer had 22 points, eight rebounds and seven assists.

Richard Hamilton scored 30, Tayshaun Prince had 17 points, and Will Bynum added 12 for the Pistons.

The Bulls were without center Joakim Noah because of a sprained right ankle. His replacement, Kurt Thomas, grabbed an offensive rebound and made a baseline jumper to give Chicago a six-point lead with just under a minute left.

Chicago also got contributions from Luol Deng, who scored 15, and reserve Ronnie Brewer, who added nine points.

Detroit decided to rest Tracy McGrady's tired legs and put Bynum in the lineup after giving Rodney Stuckey the option of starting or coming off the bench.

Rose made sure the Bulls wouldn't overlook the Pistons, making 4 of 5 shots and collecting three assists and three steals in the first 12 minutes of the game.

He gave the Bulls a scare in the second half when he limped off the court, trying to keep weight off his left ankle, but he was back after a timeout and made an assist on the ensuing possession.

Ex-Piston Rodman has number retired
Dennis Rodman insisted it was easier to guard Michael Jordan than it was to talk about what it meant to have the Detroit Pistons retire his jersey.

"I'm relieved that's over," Rodman said last night after getting emotional during a halftime ceremony that ended with a "Dennis Rodman 10" banner going to the rafters.

The honors, though, are still coming his way.

He's headed for the Basketball Hall of Fame.

Rodman said he was informed Thursday to be in Houston for Sunday's announcement and to "wave to the crowd" during the NCAA final on Monday night.

He broke down — 1½ times, by his count — while addressing the adoring fans, several former teammates, and the wife of late owner Bill Davidson at The Palace.

"These guys were like my big brothers," Rodman said.

During a pregame press conference, tears streamed down both his cheeks.

"It's a surprise to me that my number is being retired," Rodman said.

It didn't amaze any of his teammates that he was honored, just as former Bad Boys teammates Isiah Thomas, Joe Dumars, Bill Laimbeer, and Vinnie Johnson were previously.

The Pistons have also retired Dave Bing and Bob Lanier's jerseys, and honored Davidson, Chuck Daly, and Jack McCloskey with banners for their contributions to the franchise.

Detroit selected Rodman in the second round of the 1986 draft out of Southeastern Oklahoma.

The native of Trenton, N.J., helped the Pistons win NBA titles in 1989 and 1990 — when he was known as "The Worm" — was a part of three of Chicago's championship teams, and also played for San Antonio, the Los Angeles Lakers, and Dallas.