The Detroit Pistons delivered a stunning performance on February 11, 2025, at the United Center, demolishing the Chicago Bulls 132-92. This eye-popping victory marked not only the Pistons' most lopsided win of the season but also showcased their dominance by setting a franchise record for the largest halftime lead at 42 points. The Pistons outscored the Bulls 71-29 in the first half, completely dismantling Chicago before the game had even reached its halfway point.
Malik Beasley was the star of the night, hitting 7 of 10 from beyond the arc and scoring 24 points. His incredible shooting helped propel the Pistons to this overwhelming victory, as he set a franchise record for most three-pointers made in a season with 212, breaking the previous record held by Saddiq Bey. He expressed pride in the team's relentless effort throughout the game, stating, "The thing I'm most proud about is how we got up the lead and we didn't take off the gas pedal. We kept going. That was the biggest thing." This win marked the Pistons' third consecutive victory, placing them firmly sixth in the Eastern Conference standings.
Cade Cunningham also made significant contributions, scoring 20 points, and adding seven assists and six rebounds. Teammates Tobias Harris and Ausar Thompson added 18 and 16 points, respectively. The Pistons' offensive onslaught left the Bulls players visibly frustrated and struggling to find their rhythm.
On the other hand, the Chicago Bulls faced one of their most embarrassing moments of the season. They set a team record by missing their first 20 three-point attempts before Ayo Dosunmu finally connected late in the second quarter. The Bulls ended the night with only 10 successful shots from beyond the arc out of 47 attempts, translating to just 21.3%. Their overall shooting percentage hovered around 35% for the game, highlighting deep offensive struggles since the departure of star player Zach LaVine.
Bulls coach Billy Donovan did not mince words when analyzing his team's dismal performance, stating, "It's embarrassing when you're sitting there and that's happening, there's no question about it. Our guys probably feel the same way. They invest a lot in it, but it's one of those things, on the home court, yeah, who wants to go through [such a defeat]?" Donovan's sentiments reflected the frustration of fans who watched their team get dismantled on their home court.
Josh Giddey, one of the few bright spots on the Bulls squad, scored 11 points, alongside Matas Buzelis, who added 12 points. Reflecting on the team's performance, Giddey said, "It is our responsibility as players to give them something to cheer for. Tonight, we probably deserved [the boos]. We didn't give them anything to cheer for. We were down 40 in the first half, and that's not acceptable." Such reflections underline the accountability felt by the team as they face growing scrutiny from fans and media alike.
This victory is significant for the Pistons, marking their successful push to secure a spot outside the play-in tournament as they fight to maintain their standing heading toward the All-Star break. For the Bulls, this loss raises immediate concerns about their strategy and effectiveness as they search for solutions to improve their performance as the season progresses.
With this win, the Pistons now have momentum as they look to build on their successes and strengthen their positioning for playoff contention. On the other hand, the Bulls must regroup quickly if they aim to turn their season around and remain relevant as they contend for the play-in spots.