The Detroit Pistons showed no mercy and gave an offensive exhibition against the Chicago Bulls, who played one of their worst first halves in NBA history. With a devastating start, Detroit went into halftime with a 42-point lead, the largest in franchise history, and ended up winning 132-92 at the United Center. Malik Beasley shined with seven three-pointers and 24 points, while Cade Cunningham contributed 20 points, seven assists and six rebounds.
The final score not only reflected the Pistons' dominance, but also the poor performance of Chicago, which could only score 29 points in the entire first half. With this win, Detroit achieved its third consecutive victory and highlighted the Bulls' difficulties to remain competitive in the Eastern Conference.
A First Half To Forget in Chicago
From the start of the game, the Pistons imposed their rhythm with a precise offense and a suffocating defense that completely annulled the Bulls. Detroit scored 71 points in the first two quarters, while Chicago could barely score 29, registering one of the worst performances in league history.
The Bulls' offensive disaster was reflected in their disastrous 1-of-23 three-point shooting in the first half, missing their first 20 attempts before Ayo Dosunmu finally hit a shot from the perimeter. Ineffective shooting and constant turnovers left the home team out of options, which was booed by its own fans at the United Center.
For their part, the Pistons did not waste the opportunity and mercilessly punished their rival. Beasley was unstoppable from the three-point line, setting a new franchise record with 212 three-pointers on the season. Tobias Harris added 18 points, while rookie Ausar Thompson contributed 16, demonstrating the strength of the Detroit team on both sides of the court.
Chicago Reacts Late, But Doesn't Avert Humiliation
After the break, the Bulls tried to improve their performance and achieved a more even partial in the second half. However, the difference was already too big to change the course of the game. Matas Buzelis led Chicago's offense with 12 points, followed by Josh Giddey with 11, but the lack of production from their main players continued to weigh on the scoreboard.
Coby White had a night to forget, scoring just five points on a disastrous 2-of-13 shooting from the field and missing all eight of his three-point attempts. Nikola Vucevic and the rest of the team couldn't find their rhythm either, finishing with a low 35% from the field and just 10 of 47 in three-pointers.
Detroit, on the other hand, did not need to force too much in the second half. With the lead secured, they managed the pace of the game and simply closed out the victory without any surprises. Cunningham continued to lead the team with his ability to distribute the game, while the Pistons' bench also contributed quality minutes to secure the win.
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A Bucket of Cold Water for the Bulls
This loss leaves Chicago in a complicated position in the Eastern Conference. With a 22-32 record, the Bulls remain in tenth place, but with performances like this one, their presence in the playoffs looks increasingly uncertain. The lack of consistency and the departures of key players in the transfer market have weakened a team that seems to be losing steam in the final stretch of the season.
On the other hand, the Pistons are going through a good moment, achieving their third consecutive victory and showing signs of growth. Although their record is still one of the worst in the league, such performances bolster the team's confidence and provide a glimpse of a brighter future.
The two teams will meet again at the United Center in their next meeting, where Chicago will have the opportunity to seek revenge and avoid another humiliating defeat in front of their home fans.
