Detroit Pistons guard Malik Beasley, left, celebrates after guard Jaden Ivey, right, makes the game winning shot of an NBA basketball game against the Sacramento Kings, Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024, in Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Sara Nevis) AP

At one point, though, the United Center crowd was loud as fans stood on their feet with excitement. Nikola Vučević had just hit a floater to bring the Bulls within 43 points and stopped the bleeding on a 23-0 Pistons run. To make matters worse for Chicago, two minutes remained in the first half.

Coming off a win over the Charlotte Hornets Sunday, the Detroit Pistons traveled to Chicago to kick off a two-game mini-series with the Bulls. They take game one in dominant fashion, in large part due to the play of their biggest X-factor.