Pistons let big lead slip against Bulls

Detroit's Rodney Stuckey shoots over Chicago's Carlos Boozer.

CHICAGO — Nate Robinson had 11 points and seven assists in 21 minutes off the bench, leading a furious fourth-quarter comeback Wednesday night that carried the Chicago Bulls past the Detroit Pistons 85-82.

Joakim Noah sacrificed his body to save a loose ball, which Marco Belinelli converted into a game-winning basket with 7 seconds left. Tayshaun Prince and Rodney Stuckey each missed potential tying 3-pointers at the other end.

Robinson put the Bulls on his back, scoring nine straight points early in the fourth as Chicago overcame a 17-point deficit to beat Detroit for the 17th straight time.

He hit a jumper with 10:25 left to cut the lead to eight, then was fouled in transition on the next possession. He rose from the floor and beckoned the sold-out crowd to get on its feet, which it did.

Robinson took it from there.

He made both free throws, then scored on the two ensuing possessions. Robinson found Noah alone with eight minutes left to tie the score at 71.

The Bulls extended the lead, their first since the opening minutes, to six, but Detroit didn't fold, tying the game at 82 with 29.4 seconds left on Jason Maxiell's layup. Belinelli missed a go-ahead 3, but the ball ricocheted off the rim toward the row of cameramen. Noah and his 7-foot frame barreled through to keep it alive.

Belinelli was fouled on his layup and converted the free throw to give Chicago a three-point lead.

Noah finished with 10 points and 18 rebounds this time around. Jimmy Butler added 18 points.

Brandon Knight led Detroit with 13 points and seven assists. Kyle Singler had 12 points.

Detroit began the second half on an 8-0 run to extend its lead to 17, and forced 15 turnovers, but couldn't seal its first win at the United Center since Dec. 3, 2005, a 12-game span. The last time the Pistons beat the Bulls at all was Dec. 23, 2008.

Hornets to change name to Pelicans

NEW ORLEANS — The New Orleans Hornets and new owner Tom Benson are moving ahead with plans to change their name to the Pelicans next season, people familiar with the decision said.

The club will unveil the proposed new color scheme of blue, gold and red.

The brown pelican is the Louisiana state bird. The Pelicans name was used for decades by a former minor league baseball team in New Orleans The NBA must approve the change.