Duren’s Dominant Return Powers Pistons to 10th Consecutive Victory
durens-dominant-return-powers-pistons-to-10th-consecutive-victory
Detroit center Jalen Duren stormed back from a two-game absence Monday, delivering 31 points on 12-for-13 shooting, 15 rebounds and three assists in 29 minutes as the Pistons overpowered the Pacers.
“He’s just continued to dominate,” head coach J.B. Bickerstaff said, praising the 21-year-old’s work on the glass and ability to draw contact.
The victory marked Detroit’s 10th straight, the franchise’s longest winning streak since 2008, according to the NBA. “It’s the work we put in,” Duren said afterward, adding that team culture and accountability have fueled the early-season surge.
Duren also noted his growing leadership role, saying, “Everybody holds everybody accountable. We’re not the type of team where it’s one guy dictating everything.”
Second-year guard Daniss Jenkins, recently nominated for Eastern Conference Player of the Week, tallied a career-best 26 points and eight assists. The two-way player has stepped up amid backcourt injuries.
Cade Cunningham (left hip contusion) missed his third consecutive game, while starting forward Ausar Thompson (right ankle sprain) sat out a fourth. Both were listed as questionable before being ruled out, and Bickerstaff said they are “trending in the right direction.”
Forward Bobi Klintman is expected to miss additional time with a left ankle sprain, the coach added. The 22-year-old was selected 37th overall in last year’s draft.
Source: Hoops Rumors
