DETROIT — In an exciting matchup on Sunday, Cade Cunningham led the Detroit Pistons to a 127-119 victory over the Chicago Bulls, contributing 22 points and 15 assists to the win.
Despite the efforts of Nikola Vucevic, who recorded a triple-double with 20 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists for Chicago, the Pistons managed to come out on top.
Cunningham, who was recently selected for his first All-Star appearance, had a challenging night shooting, going 10 for 23 overall and hitting just 2 of 6 from beyond the arc. However, he excelled in facilitating scoring opportunities for his teammates throughout the game.
In addition to Cunningham’s performance, Jalen Duren shone brightly with 21 points and 13 rebounds, while Malik Beasley, coming off the bench, contributed 19 points. Overall, the Pistons had a well-rounded offensive output, with seven players finishing in double digits.
Coby White topped the scoring for the Bulls with 22 points, and Josh Giddey chipped in with 20 points and 11 rebounds.
At the 6:13 mark in the fourth quarter, a three-pointer from Vucevic narrowed the gap to 111-104, but the Bulls struggled to defend effectively, preventing them from launching a substantial comeback. Cunningham set up quick dunks for Ausar Thompson and Duren, while Tim Hardaway Jr. and Beasley helped stretch the lead with timely three-pointers.
In terms of team updates, Bulls’ star Zach LaVine was absent for the third consecutive game due to personal matters. For the Pistons, Isaiah Stewart made his return following a one-game suspension that he incurred during a previous win over the Dallas Mavericks.
A crucial moment in the game came during the second quarter, where Detroit outscored Chicago 34-19. The Pistons showcased their offensive prowess with a shooting percentage of 51.9% (14-27), while the Bulls struggled, managing only 31.6% (6-19). Simone Fontecchio played a vital role for Detroit in that period, scoring nine points, while Cunningham added seven points. Giddey led the charge for Chicago, contributing six points in the quarter.
Notable statistics saw the Pistons excel in the fourth quarter, making 13 of their first 19 attempts (68.4%) before two missed shots in the game’s closing moments. In contrast, the Bulls recorded a shooting rate of 46.9% in the second half, including a 37% success rate from three-point territory, yet they only managed to narrowly outscore Detroit 65-63 during that time.
Looking forward, the Pistons will play at home again on Monday against the Atlanta Hawks, while the Bulls will return to Chicago to face the Miami Heat on Tuesday.
