Pistons Vs Bulls: Bickerstaff displays Coach of the Year qualities in 126-110 blowout
The Pistons beat the Bulls 126-110 in a game that underscored both Detroit’s cohesion and Chicago’s struggles in a matchup billed as pistons vs bulls. The result extended the Bulls’ skid to eight straight losses and drew attention to J. B. Bickerstaff’s leadership in a decisive road victory.
Pistons pull away at United Center in 126-110 throttling
The final score was 126-110 after a game that was still close at halftime before the Pistons turned it into a rout. Detroit outscored Chicago 44-26 in the third quarter, a swing that decided the contest at the United Center and capped a five-game winning streak that leaves the Pistons sitting at No. 1 in the East.
Kevin Huerter’s homecoming and the trade call at 1 o’clock
Former Bulls guard Kevin Huerter described his trade to Detroit as sudden: he was in bed when coach Billy Donovan called “at about 1 o’clock” right before a nap. Huerter said he hadn’t played in Miami and thought Donovan was asking about that night, only to be told, “we just made a move to move you to Detroit. ” Huerter said he was literally in his bed and responded, “Oh, wow, OK. Let’s do it. ” He has “not looked back since that deadline deal. ”
Bulls’ roster instability, turnovers and looming schedule
The Bulls fell to 24-33 after the loss, their eighth in a row. Coach Billy Donovan lamented turnovers — Chicago committed 23 — and noted that three players had four or five turnovers each. The team faces the Knicks on Sunday and the Hornets on Tuesday, stretches that make it unlikely the skid will end immediately. Donovan suggested the post-trade-deadline roster is still trying to learn how to play together.
Injuries, minutes restrictions and a crowded backcourt
Several specific availability issues hampered Chicago: Josh Giddey and Tre Jones remained on minutes restrictions, Anfernee Simons left the game in the first half with a wrist injury and was described afterward as having a sore wrist but not missing much time. Matas Buzelis was said to be “in a funk, ” and Jaden Ivey — the player mentioned as the one Huerter was traded for — was sidelined with knee woes. Donovan is juggling playing time for a “plethora of guards, ” creating a logjam that limited second-year guard Rob Dillingham to just eight-plus minutes.
Donovan’s rotation challenges and Bickerstaff’s praise
Donovan addressed the Dillingham minutes directly: “It’s nothing [Dillingham] has not done, ” he said, adding, “It’s just managing all those guards. We’re going to have a logjam there. ” He also called this the first game the team played “with the right intention” but noted the turnover total made winning impossible. On the other side, a provided assessment framed J. B. Bickerstaff as displaying Coach of the Year qualities in Detroit’s blowout of Chicago, and Bickerstaff insisted Huerter will contribute as he tries to find a role after sitting a second straight game for Detroit’s rotation decisions.
Where things stand after the game
The Pistons extended their winning run and sit atop the East, while the Bulls remain mired in an eight-game losing streak and a 24-33 record. Injuries, a condensed post-deadline roster and persistent turnovers have left Chicago searching for answers as Detroit’s cohesion under Bickerstaff draws headlines.
