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SALT LAKE CITY -- Sometimes, you just have to admit the other guy is better than you — even if he used to play with you.
"They are just a better basketball team than we are," Jazz power forward Paul Millsap said to the Deseret News after the Jazz’s 111-97 loss to the Bulls in Chicago Saturday.
The Bulls feature several former Jazzmen, and those guys helped defeat the Jazz Saturday.
Utah, which was without starters Devin Harris and Raja Bell, was done in by each of the former Jazzmen in their own ways.
Carlos Boozer scored a game-high 27 points. Kyle Korver went 6 of 11 behind the 3-point line and finished with 26 points. Ronnie Brewer scored nine of his 11 points in a third quarter which saw the Bulls pull away.
And, of course, Derrick Rose, a Bull since he was drafted back in 2008, did his thing by scoring 24 points and dishing out 13 assists.
“They did it on offense. They did a great job in their halfcourt sets — you take one thing away they went to the next thing,” Jazz coach Tyrone Corbin said to the Associated Press. “They made perimeter shots, (and) they got some inside baskets on us. That third quarter for them to go 12 for (15) in that quarter is difficult to overcome."
The Jazz (19-21), losers of two straight, look to bounce back tonight against the Detroit Pistons (15-26) at EnergySolutions Arena, but may be without forward Al Jefferson and Bell.
Jefferson missed shoot around due to family matter and is not sure if he'll play against the Pistons. Bell was sent home after the loss to Philadelphia for "internal matters" and did not play against the Bulls.
Monday Bell met with coach Tyrone Corbin and General Manager Kevin O'Connor to discuss his "frustrations."
O'Connor said situation was handled appropriately by all parties and that they'll "move on."
Corbin had no comment after the meeting,b ut said he'll talk again before the game against Detroit.
Bell will have an MRI on his knee for precautionary purposes, but said he will be with team in some capacity.
O'Connor said he expects Bell to be in uniform against the Pistons.
While the Jazz have played well at home this season, boasting an 14-6 mark at ESA, they’ve been even better against the Pistons in Utah. The Jazz have beaten the Pistons in 19 of their last 21 meetings in Salt Lake City including the last eight.
Detroit has won three straight, notching victories against the Raptors, Hawks and Lakers, however, the Pistons are only 3-15 away from The Palace of Auburn Hills.
Tonight’s contest will be the first of nine road matchups in 10 games for the Pistons, who will play the majority of the month of March in opposing arenas.
Former Big Sky Conference standout Rodney Stuckey, who played his college ball at Eastern Washington, said his team is ready.
"We've been playing really good basketball. We've got to continue to keep playing like that," Stuckey said to the team's official website. "It'll be a test, but I think we're up for the challenge."
The only team with a worse road record than the Pistons is the 2-19 Charlotte Bobcats.
For the Jazz, tonight’s matchup against the Pistons is the first of a four-game stretch against .500 or lower teams. The Jazz will be home for three of those contests.
Tonight's game will take place at 7 p.m. at EnergySolutions Arena and will be televised on Root Sports.
Jarrod is a freelance writer who writes Jazz previews for KSL.com. You can follow Jarrod Hiatt on Twitter at @jarrodhiatt.
