The Detroit Pistons opened their four-game West Coast road trip in dominant fashion, rolling past the Utah Jazz 134-106 on Monday.
The victory marked Detroit’s 10th win in their last 11 games, a feat the franchise has not accomplished since the 2007-08 season.
Cade Cunningham led the way with 29 points, nine assists, and four steals, while Jalen Duren recorded a double-double with 16 points, 12 rebounds, four blocks, and two steals.
Despite missing Tobias Harris (personal reasons) and Isaiah Stewart (lower back contusion), Detroit controlled the game from start to finish, capitalizing on Utah’s sloppy play.
The Jazz committed 10 fouls and 10 turnovers in the opening quarter alone, allowing the Pistons to jump out to a 15-point lead. By halftime, the advantage ballooned to 23, fueled by 21 points off 17 Jazz turnovers and a defensive effort that limited Utah to 39.5% shooting.
Utah briefly threatened in the fourth, cutting the deficit to 14 with a 13-6 run. But Detroit responded emphatically, closing the game with a 30-6 surge to seal the win.
Duren’s defensive presence continues
Fresh off a career-best six-block performance against the Brooklyn Nets, Duren continued to showcase his defensive prowess. He recorded three blocks in the first quarter alone and added a fourth in the fourth, swatting a Collin Sexton layup attempt against the glass to the delight of the crowd.
Over his last 10 games, Duren has averaged 14 points, 12 rebounds, three assists, and 1.2 blocks per game. With Stewart sidelined, he stepped up once again, anchoring Detroit’s interior defense.
Cunningham breaks out of slump
After a pair of slow starts last week, Cunningham came out aggressive against Utah. He had 17 first-half points on 7-for-14 shooting, including 10 shot attempts in the second quarter alone. He continued his strong play in the second half, adding eight points in the third.
The Pistons (35-27) now sit just seven wins away from tripling their 2023-24 win total, with 20 games left in the regular season. Their West Coast swing continues Wednesday against the Golden State Warriors.
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