Wednesday\u2019s game embodied the dichotomy of Vu\u010devi\u0107\u2019s role on the Bulls. The center supplied a quarter of Chicago\u2019s points and rebounds against Detroit. He also fumbled against the physicality supplied at scale by the Pistons.<\/p>\n
![\"Detroit](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/ctc-z-Bulls-Pistons-Basketball_257445460.jpg\")
Detroit Pistons guard Jaden Ivey, left, drives against Chicago Bulls center Nikola Vu\u010devi\u0107 during the first half on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo\/Ryan Sun)<\/p>\n
The Bulls can\u2019t survive without Vu\u010devi\u0107. He represents one of only four or five viable playmakers on the roster currently healthy enough to play every night. But the Bulls also can\u2019t win with his current rim protection \u2014 a brutal futility that hangs over the veteran throughout every game.<\/p>\n
The Pistons were designed to vex Vu\u010devi\u0107 \u2014 particularly Isaiah Stewart. A stocky 6-foot-8 and 250 pounds, Stewart gobbles up matchups against lengthier bigs like Vu\u010devi\u0107 who rely on their touch and mobility in the paint. The center entered the game with a clear aim to bowl Vu\u010devi\u0107 over \u2014 and he succeeded, scoring 31 points while missing only two shots from inside the arc.<\/p>\n
The final box score didn\u2019t reflect the fitfulness of Wednesday\u2019s loss \u2014 after all, Vu\u010devi\u0107 finished with 20 points and 16 rebounds as the second-highest scorer on the Bulls roster.<\/p>\n
But for long stretches of the loss, Vu\u010devi\u0107 couldn\u2019t engage on defense. He bickered with teammates like Dalen Terry when the Pistons carved wide-open drives to the rim. The center didn\u2019t even come off his feet when the Pistons began to lob passes over the top to Stewart, who was eager to launch himself out of the dunker spot for the easy finish. And Detroit ultimately outlasted the Bulls due to their ability to overpower in the paint.<\/p>\n
This was an underpowered outing for both teams. Cade Cunningham (right wrist contusion) and Jalen Duren (right ankle sprain) missed the game for the Pistons. In addition to Josh Giddey, Collins and Smith, Coby White was sidelined for Wednesday\u2019s game, which is the first night of a back-to-back that will conclude with a home game Thursday against the Miami Heat.<\/p>\n
Although the guard said he felt strong after a workout Tuesday, the medical team opted to hold White out for an additional day of rest with the aim of playing in Chicago. He missed three games prior to Monday with a flare-up of a lingering calf injury that has sidelined him for 19 total games this season.<\/p>\n
Here are three takeaways from the loss.<\/p>\n
1. Ayo Dosunmu racks up the points.
\n![\"Chicago](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/ctc-z-Bulls-Pistons-Basketball_257460846.jpg\")
Chicago Bulls guard Ayo Dosunmu, left, is defended by Detroit Pistons forward Paul Reed on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo\/Ryan Sun)<\/p>\n
As the Bulls seek new outlets of production<\/a> amid their injuries, Ayo Dosunmu<\/a> has been a rare source of stability off the bench. He continued that buoyant support in Wednesday\u2019s loss, scoring 24 points on 10-for-15 shooting against the Pistons.<\/p>\n The Bulls offense stagnated with the loss of White and Giddey, a fact clearly reflected in the team\u2019s struggles to break 100 points for the last three games. For the foreseeable future, Dosunmu\u2019s versatility will be key for the Bulls to sustain playmaking. He lifted the tempo in the open court, went 4-for-6 from behind the arc and forced the issue at the rim.<\/p>\n 2. Offensive boards and turnovers.<\/p>\n Despite their lack of success this season, the Bulls can stay competitive in almost any matchups by limiting two statistics: turnovers and opponent offensive rebounds.<\/p>\n The Bulls kept pace with the Pistons in the first three quarters by matching Detroit in points off turnovers (11) and second-chance points. The Pistons strive to operate as a hive mind on defense, swarming after the ball with prolific pressure that results in turnovers. Detroit ranks third in the league in steals per game (10.2) and second in opponent turnovers (17.2).<\/p>\n Maintaining possession under this pressure reflected a crucial victory for Chicago in the opening 36 minutes of the game. But the Bulls allowed seven points off five unanswered turnovers in the fourth quarter while also giving up five second-chance points, a quick succession of mistakes that helped the Pistons carve out a double-digit lead.<\/p>\n 3. Matas Buzelis has a block party.<\/p>\n