Jalen Duren stars again sans Cade Cunningham with near triple-double

On the second night of a back-to-back, a dominant performance from Jalen Duren led the Detroit Pistons to victory. They crushed the New Orleans Pelicans at home, 129-108, on Thursday, March 26. The Pistons were shorthanded – Duncan Robinson (right wrist injury management) and Caris LeVert (left knee soreness) were both out along with Cade Cunningham (left lung pneumothorax) and Isaiah Stewart (left calf strain).

But Duren was still on the court at Little Caesars Arena, as he stepped up with one of his best all-around games – 30 points, 10 rebounds, seven, two steals and two blocks. Kevin Huerter, who started for Robinson, had his most productive outing in a Pistons uniform, with 22 points on 9-for-14 shooting (and 4-for-7 shooting from 3). Daniss Jenkins finished with 19 points and nine assists, knocking down five of seven 3-pointers, and Tobias Harris added 12 points, nine rebounds and seven assists.

AWARD SZN: NBPA pushing to save Cade Cunningham award eligibility with Pistons The Pistons shot 15-for-28 (53. 6%) from 3 and outscored the Pelicans, 37-22, in the fourth while holding them to 35. 7% overall (10-for-28).

A 15-2 Pistons run early in the fourth quarter put them in control for good, extending a four-point lead to 17, 107-90, with 8:45 remaining. The run was punctuated by back-to-back highlights that brought the LCA crowd to its feet. First, Duren passed the ball to Huerter downcourt and immediately received it back with a head of steam, setting up a one-handed poster dunk by Duren on Pelicans rookie big Derek Queen.