Australian Josh Giddey\u2019s clutch play lifts Bulls past Pistons 115\u2013111 on NBA opening night.<\/p>\n
Australian Josh Giddey, fresh off signing a USD\u00a0$100M extension<\/a>, came up big in the clutch to lead the Chicago Bulls<\/a> to an opening night 115-111 win against NBA\u00a0arch rival Detroit Pistons<\/a> at home.<\/p>\n Giddey<\/a>, 23, re-entered the fourth quarter with 5:08 to go with the Bulls up 103-96<\/a>. The Pistons went on a 7-2 run but Giddey delivered his 11th assist to Nikola Vu\u010devi\u0107 with 1:31 to go to put the Bulls up two (111-109) and then made four clutch free throws from six attempts in the final 34 seconds to seal the win.<\/p>\n 5:08 to 0:00 (Bulls up 103\u201395):<\/p>\n 4:14 \u2014 Assist: Hit Nikola Vu\u010devi\u0107 for a 12-footer (CHI 105\u201398).2:54 \u2014 Pistons pull level (105\u2013105) amid Detroit surge.1:31 \u2014 Assist: Fed Vu\u010devi\u0107 for a 2-ft hook to break the 109\u2013109 tie (CHI 111\u2013109).0:34.4 \u2014 Fouled; made 1\/2 FT (CHI 112\u2013109).0:13.8 \u2014 Fouled again; 2\/2 FT (CHI 114\u2013111).0:03.1 \u2014 Secured the defensive rebound, drew the foul, then split FTs (1\/2) to set the final margin (CHI 115\u2013111).After a shaky opening minute (miss, turnover, foul), Giddey settled the offense late:2 clutch assists \u2192 both to Vu\u010devi\u0107, including the go-ahead bucket at 1:31.4 points at the line in the final 35 seconds, including Chicago\u2019s last four points (0:34.4, 0:13.8, 0:03.1).Game-sealing board at 0:03.1 before the final FT.<\/p>\n Giddey finished with 19 points, 11 assists, five rebounds and a block in 29 minutes. But he did have six turnovers and five fouls. He was +6. <\/p>\n Giddey\u2019s fourth started rough but finished poised and clutch: he created the decisive basket, controlled the closing possessions, and iced the game at the stripe while grabbing the key rebound to end Detroit\u2019s last threat.<\/p>\n Detroit made it a contest late after trailing 35-19 after the first quarter, almost running down the Bulls in the fourth, 32-21.<\/p>\n