Pistons-Magic Game 2 preview: Detroit desperately needs Jalen Duren to step up
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - APRIL 19: Jalen Duren #0 of the Detroit Pistons plays against the Orlando Magic during game one of the first round of the eastern conference playoffs at Little Caesars Arena on April 19, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) | Getty Images The Detroit Pistons and Orlando Magic are getting set to face-off in Game 2 of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs.
Given Orlando’s status as an eighth seed, their inconsistent regular season, and Detroit’s dominant campaign, most people (myself included) thought this would be a cakewalk for the Pistons. However, the Magic shocked us all in a Game 1 victory that proved that they are finally clicking and that they can exploit the Pistons’ lack of true two-way players. Oddsmakers still believe that the Pistons are in the driver’s seat to win this series, as they are a nine-point favorite in Game 2 (right around the spread from Game 1), and have -220 odds (an implied probability of -68.
8%) to win the series. To make this come to fruition, the Pistons either need Ausar Thompson and Ron Holland to find ways to exist on offense, Daniss Jenkins and Duncan Robinson to stop getting hunted on defense, or Kevin Huerter and Caris LeVert to step into larger roles. But more than anything, they need their All-Star big man to live up to his reputation.
Jalen Duren Needs A Big Game 2 Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the last few days, you are likely aware of Jalen Duren’s unspectacular Game 1 performance. Jalen Duren Defense Tape 4/19 vs ORL – Roughly 10 pts allowed – 3 Forced Misses – 1 Blocks – 0 Forced Turnovers – 33 Mins The lack of awareness behind him when guarding the paint is a big problem. Way too athletic to be a poor defender How do you grade his defense from this… pic.
twitter. com/6iQDP6BIlU — Hoopology (@hoopologyxx) April 20, 2026 The Pistons can’t win this series without Duren. This season, they led the entire NBA in points in the paint per game (per NBA.