Jalen Duren delivered a stellar performance with 26 points and 10 rebounds, helping the Detroit Pistons secure a 110-102 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers on Monday night, despite a dramatic second-half collapse where they squandered a 21-point lead.
In addition to Duren’s standout contribution, Ausar Thompson made significant strides with an 18-point, 12-rebound effort, marking him as a key player for the Pistons (23-6), who currently top the Eastern Conference. Duncan Robinson also contributed with 15 points, while Cade Cunningham added 14 points before foul trouble limited his play, causing him to exit early in the fourth quarter.
On the other hand, the Trail Blazers (12-17) were led by Shaedon Sharpe, who scored 25 points on 11-of-21 shooting but struggled with ball security, committing eight turnovers. Deni Avdija supported the team well, notching 18 points, nine assists, and eight rebounds, while Donovan Clingan added 17 points, 10 rebounds, and three blocks off the bench.
The game saw an intense comeback attempt from Portland. After trailing by as much as 21 points late in the third quarter, the Blazers found themselves down by only nine when Cunningham fouled out with 8:32 left. Fueled by this opportunity, they launched a 12-2 scoring spree to take a momentary lead. However, the Pistons regrouped and finished strong with an 11-2 run of their own to secure the win.
Looking forward, the Pistons are set to face the Sacramento Kings on Tuesday, while the Trail Blazers will return home to host the Orlando Magic the same day. This matchup showcases the grit of both teams and highlights the competitive nature of the NBA, as teams strive for improvement and resilience in tight game situations.