DeMar DeRozan scored 39 points, leading the Chicago Bulls to a 127-105 victory over the Detroit Pistons on Thursday night. The loss marked Detroit’s 67th of the season, breaking their franchise record set in 1979-80.
Detroit coach Monty Williams emphasized the value of observing players’ performance in the latter part of the season. Despite the record-breaking loss, he stressed the importance of players maintaining effort and resilience.
Chicago secured a home-court advantage in the Eastern Conference play-in game against Atlanta. Bulls coach Billy Donovan praised the team’s perseverance throughout the season, acknowledging the challenges they faced.
With the upcoming games against Washington and New York, Donovan mentioned considering lineup adjustments in light of the secured playoff position. Nikola Vucevic contributed 27 points and 11 rebounds, while Coby White added 18 points for the Bulls.
Despite missing key player Cade Cunningham due to knee management, Detroit saw Jalen Duren and Marcus Sasser score 20 points each. The Pistons have endured a challenging stretch, losing six consecutive games and 14 of their last 15.
Chicago maintained control throughout the game, particularly in the third quarter, where they extended their lead. The Pistons struggled to contain turnovers, leading to 34 points for the Bulls.
At halftime, the Bulls held a 64-55 lead, with both DeRozan and Vucevic contributing 17 points each.
