February 21, 2026 | United Center | 8:00 PM ET | ESPN, NBC Sports Chicago
This one’s going to hurt before it even starts.
The Detroit Pistons (41–13) roll into the United Center riding a four-game winning streak and sitting comfortably at the top of the Eastern Conference. Meanwhile, we’re 24–32, sitting in 12th place, and watching the play-in race slip further away with every loss.
Cade Cunningham just dropped 42 points on the Knicks. Jalen Duren is dominating the paint every night. The Pistons are legitimate title contenders, and we’re… well, we’re trying to figure out what we are.
But it’s our house. And if there’s ever a time to pull off a massive upset and remind people that the Bulls still have talent, it’s tonight on ESPN in front of a national audience.
The Detroit Pistons: Everything We’re Not Right Now
Record: 41–13 (1st in East)
Let’s give credit where it’s due—Detroit is legit. Cade Cunningham has turned into an MVP candidate, averaging elite scoring and playmaking numbers. Jalen Duren is a monster in the paint (13.3 points in the paint per game, best in the NBA). Ausar Thompson provides defense and athleticism on the wing.
They score 117.4 points per game while only allowing 111.0. They’re top-10 in defense. They dominate inside with 56.9 points in the paint per game. And they’re 8–3 in division play, which means they don’t take Central Division games lightly.
The Pistons just beat the Knicks 126–111, with Cunningham going nuclear for 42 points. That’s the kind of performance that wins you MVP votes. And now they’re walking into our building with all the confidence in the world.
Where the Bulls Stand (Spoiler: Not Good)
Record: 24–32 (12th in East)
We’ve lost three of our last four games. We’re 3–9 against division opponents, which is embarrassing. And defensively, we’re giving up 120.4 points per game—which is basically a death sentence against a team like Detroit that knows how to score.
What’s Actually Working:
- We’re 3rd in the East in three-pointers made per game (14.6)
- We’re 3rd in the East in assists per game (29.1)
- The ball movement is solid when we’re locked in
What’s Not Working:
- Defense. We can’t stop anyone.
- Paint protection. We give up too many easy buckets inside.
- Consistency. We’ll look competent one night, then fall apart the next.
DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine, and Collin Sexton can all get buckets. But if we’re giving up 120+ points every night, it doesn’t matter how much we score.
The Matchup Numbers (Not Encouraging)
| Category | Pistons | Bulls |
|---|---|---|
| Points Per Game | 117.4 | 114.8 |
| Points Allowed | 111.0 | 120.4 |
| Assists Per Game | 27.5 | 29.1 |
| 3-Pointers Made | 12.5 | 14.6 |
| Paint Points | 56.9 | 44.2 |
They score more. They defend better. They dominate the paint. We shoot more threes and pass the ball slightly better. That’s about it.
The paint scoring differential is brutal—they average 56.9 points in the paint while we only get 44.2. Jalen Duren is going to eat our frontcourt alive unless someone steps up defensively.
What the Bulls Need to Do (AKA Our Only Hope)
Hit Threes Early and Often
We’re 3rd in the East in three-point shooting. That’s our only real advantage in this game. If DeMar, Zach, and our shooters can knock down 15+ threes at a high percentage, we can stay in this. If we go cold from deep, we’re getting blown out.
Collin Sexton Has to Run the Show
Sexton leads the team in assists, and his playmaking is crucial. He needs to push the pace, create open looks, and get our shooters going early. If he can’t control the tempo, Cade Cunningham will dictate everything and we’re cooked.
Someone—Anyone—Needs to Slow Down Jalen Duren
Duren’s averaging 13.3 points in the paint per game, and he feasts on weak interior defenses like ours. We need physicality, we need help defense, and we need someone to body him up and make him uncomfortable. If he gets easy dunks and putbacks all night, it’s over.
DeMar and Zach Need to Be Elite
No passenger games. No disappearing in the fourth quarter. This is a national TV game against the best team in the East. If our two best players don’t show up with 25+ points each and efficient shooting, we have zero chance.
Limit Cade Cunningham (Good Luck)
Cunningham just dropped 42 on the Knicks. He’s playing at an MVP level. We’re not stopping him. But if we can make him work for every bucket, force him into tough shots, and limit his playmaking, maybe—maybe—we keep this competitive.
The Betting Lines (Vegas Knows What’s Up)
- Spread: Pistons -7.5
- Over/Under: 232.5
- Moneyline: Pistons -310, Bulls +250
Vegas is basically begging you to take Detroit. They’ve covered in 6 of their last 8 games. We’re 2–6 against the spread in our last 8. The over has hit in 4 of the Pistons’ last 5 games, which makes sense given our inability to defend.
A 7.5-point spread at home against the best team in the conference isn’t insulting—it’s realistic. If we keep it within single digits, that’s honestly a moral victory at this point.
Bulls Fan Prediction: We Fight, But Fall Short
Final Score: Pistons 119, Bulls 111
I want to believe we can pull this off. I want to believe DeMar and Zach will both go off, we’ll hit 16 threes, and the United Center crowd will will us to a statement win against the East’s best team.
But I’ve watched this team all season. I know what happens when we face elite competition.
Detroit will control the paint from the jump. Jalen Duren will dominate the glass and get easy buckets. Cade Cunningham will do Cade Cunningham things—probably 28 points, 8 assists, making it look effortless.
We’ll hang around for a half, maybe even into the third quarter, behind hot three-point shooting. Then our defense will break down, we’ll miss a few shots in a row, and Detroit will go on a 12–2 run that puts it out of reach.
We’ll fight. We’ll compete. But ultimately, we’re not on their level right now.
Why This Game Still Matters
We’re 12th in the East. The play-in is slipping away. The season’s basically over in terms of playoff hopes.
So why does tonight matter?
Because pride. Because the United Center faithful deserve to see this team compete against elite competition. Because DeMar’s not getting any younger, and nights like this are opportunities to show he can still go toe-to-toe with the best.
And honestly? Because watching Cade Cunningham play basketball at this level is a privilege. Yeah, he’s torching us. But the kid’s special, and nights like this remind you why we love this game.
Detroit’s the best team in the East. They’re legitimate title contenders. We’re rebuilding on the fly with a weird mix of veterans and young guys trying to find an identity.
But it’s basketball. Anything can happen. And if we somehow pull this off—if DeMar and Zach both catch fire, if our defense miraculously shows up, if the United Center gets loud enough to rattle the Pistons—it would be the signature win we desperately need.
Realistically? We’re getting beaten by a better team. But I’ll be watching anyway.
See Red. Let’s shock the world (or at least keep it close).