Bulls lead Pistons at half

By K.C. Johnson

Nine players have scored, the Bulls are shooting a ridiculous 55.1 percent and the lead over the Pistons has grown to 61-47 at halftime Monday night at the United Center.

There must be a reason the Pistons have lost 12 straight entering.

Luol Deng's 17 points leads the Bulls, who already have 13 fast-break points. Derrick Rose has eight points and seven assists in just 14 minutes.

Tyrus Thomas played an active and productive nine minutes before getting poked in the eye and retreating to the locker room. But he is expected to return in the second half.

Ben Gordon is scoreless in seven minutes and finished the half in the locker room, nursing a sore hamstring.