The Detroit Pistons achieved a historic victory over the Chicago Bulls, annihilated them 132-92, and solidified their mark as the team to beat this season. This contest, held on February 12 at the United Center, not only showcased their dominance but also set the record for the largest halftime lead—71-29—by any team against the Bulls, which is now tied for the biggest halftime deficit for Chicago.
The Pistons were led by Malik Beasley, who scored 24 points, making seven 3-pointers, which also allowed him to break the franchise record for most 3-pointers made in a single season, tallying up to 212. Cade Cunningham contributed significantly as well, finishing the game with 20 points, seven assists, and six rebounds.
This game started with the Pistons setting the tone early, scoring quickly and establishing control over the match. Coach J.B. Bickerstaff expressed his satisfaction, stating, "I am extremely pleased. Just step-by-step, learning from last game and what we talked about. Coming out of the game the same way, I thought we did a great job to start the game during the first quarter.” The Pistons took charge from the opening tip-off, displaying precision both offensively and defensively, setting up their opponents for complete embarrassment.
Throughout the first half, the Pistons maintained their intensity, outscoring the Bulls 37-11 in the second quarter alone. Chicago struggled tremendously, unable to find their rhythm and missing their first 20 three-point attempts. Despite being at home, the Bulls found themselves facing the relentless pressure from the Pistons, leading to overwhelming boos from their own crowd. Bickerstaff noted, "Everything with us starts on the defensive side of the ball," emphasizing the comprehensive nature of their dominant performance.
The horrendous shooting percentage of the Bulls—35% for the game and only 10% from beyond the arc—has drawn attention to their declining performance. They finished with only two players scoring double digits, with Matas Buzelis leading with 12 points and Josh Giddey adding 11, leaving the team far from any chance of competing against Detroit's impressive accumulation of points.
Detroit not only excelled on the offensive end but also showcased tight defensive play, holding the Bulls to minimal points. For the rest of the game, the Pistons continued to extend their lead, bringing their advantage to as high as 49 points at one stage. This comprehensive effort was also reflected on the scoreboard, with five of the top six scorers in the game being Pistons players.
The victory marked the Pistons' third consecutive win and improved their record to 28-26 for the season. Bickerstaff noted the evolution of his team and the importance of these victories leading up to the All-Star break. He remarked on the caliber of effort and execution displayed by his players throughout the game. “We have scorers, shot makers, playmakers, and all those things. But when you add the defensive intensity we had, you give yourself the chance,” he said.
On the other end, the Bulls’ performance has raised eyebrows and questions about their strategy as they continue to disappoint. This game, coupled with their recent struggles—having suffered severe margin losses both against the Golden State Warriors and now the Pistons—resulted in the team being outscored by 77 points over four quarters across two games. Their current standing now hovers at 22-32, pushing them to re-evaluate their roster and approach.
Moving forward, the two teams will meet again soon, with the Pistons set to visit the Bulls once more on Wednesday night for another chance to assert dominance. Given the recent events, Chicago will have to find a way to reinvigorate their game and avoid the repetition of their failures, especially if they wish to finish this season competitively.