DETROIT — Jalen Duren had 22 issues and a career-high 21 rebounds and the Detroit Pistons ended the Oklahoma City Thunder‘s five-game profitable streak with a 120-104 victory on Sunday.
“I just think our guys care,” Pistons teacher Monty Williams mentioned of Detroit’s supreme win of the season. “We had every reason to make excuses — a back-to-back against the best team in the West — and our guys just competed.”
Duren’s efficiency integrated a career-high 9 of Detroit’s 15 offensive rebounds. It used to be the Pistons’ first 20-20 match since Andre Drummond‘s on Jan. 31, 2020.
“I also had six assists,” Duren identified to the media. “I knew 20 and 20 was bound to happen for me at some point. The game is slowing down for me tremendously.”
The Thunder, who entered the sport with the second-best file within the league, closed as a 12.5-point favourite at ESPN BET.
Jaden Ivey had 19 issues for the Pistons (6-40), who performed with out eminent scorer Cade Cunningham, who used to be a past due scratch for what the staff termed “injury management.” Cunningham returned from a knee trauma on Saturday.
“We felt like, on a back-to-back, if there was any level of concern, we didn’t feel good putting him out there,” Williams mentioned.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 31 issues and Jalen Williams added 20.
Detroit led 81-67 early within the 3rd quarter, however Gilgeous-Alexander scored the later seven issues. The Thunder (32-14) were given as akin as 90-86 prior to Ivey accident back-to-back jumpers to start out a 10-0 run.
“I thought it was an energy thing in both directions,” Thunder teacher Mark Daigneault mentioned. “They played with great energy — beat us to balls, played with intensity — and as the game wore on, we couldn’t drum up that same energy. They obviously deserved to win today.”
The Pistons led 100-87 going into the fourth and saved hitting 3-pointers at key moments indisposed the stretch. The 16-point win suits their greatest margin of victory this season.
“That’s a great playoff team, but we showed a lot of resiliency all game,” Ivey mentioned. “That’s what we need to bring every night.”
Gilgeous-Alexander and Luguentz Dort didn’t play games within the fourth quarter, hour Chet Holmgren performed most effective 2:08.
“There’s always a balance,” Daigneault mentioned. “If I thought we had a chance to get back into the game, I would have obviously put them in, but with the way the game was going, I just didn’t feel it. With the schedule we have had and the schedule we have coming out of here, I thought it was the wise move.”
The Thunder shot 56.5% from the ground within the first part however nonetheless trailed 70-61 at interval. The Pistons had a 9-2 edge in offensive rebounds and dedicated just one yield.
The Related Press contributed to this tale.
