CHICAGO – Jalen Duren returned from a two-game suspension and led the Detroit Pistons to a blowout win.
The Pistons defeated the Chicago Bulls, 126-110, at United Center on Saturday, Feb. 22, to improve to 42-13. Duren tallied 26 points and 13 rebounds, and Cade Cunningham nearly had a triple-double with 18 points, 13 assists, nine rebounds and three blocks. Tobias Harris also scored 18 points with four steals, and Ausar Thompson finished with eight points, eight assists and three steals.
Former Piston Jaden Ivey, the No. 5 overall pick in 2022 who was traded to the Bulls on Feb. 3, sat out due to left knee soreness. The Bulls announced before Saturday's game that Ivey will be shut down for two weeks to give his body a chance to heal. They were led by Josh Giddey's 27 points.
It was a close first half, with the Bulls knocking down nine of their first 11 3-point tries for a 53-50 deficit at the half. The Pistons took control in the third quarter, when they scored 44 – including a 39-17 run – to build a 25-point lead, 92-67, with under three minutes remaining.
It was one of the Pistons' most disruptive defensive performances this season, forcing 21 of the Bulls' 23 turnovers through the first three quarters and scoring 26 points off of them. They also dominated the paint, outscoring the Bulls there, 66-36, and had a 23-14 advantage in second-chance points.
Detroit Pistons playoff picture
The win moved the Pistons to 42-13, the best record in the NBA. Detroit has a half-game edge on Oklahoma City for the league’s top mark – with the Thunder coming to town on Wednesday –a six-game lead on the Boston Celtics in the East and a seven-game lead on the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Central Division.
What’s next for the Pistons
But before the Thunder visit Little Caesars Arena, the Pistons will have to face the West’s No. 2 team, the San Antonio Spurs (39-16) on Monday (7 p.m., FanDuel Sports Network Detroit and Peacock). The Spurs have won all eight of their games this month, including a blowout of the Sacramento Kings on Saturday night.
Jalen Duren dominates in return
Fresh off of his first All-Star appearance, Duren looked every bit a star in his first game back. He was too much for the Bulls' frontcourt to handle and delivered his highest-scoring performance since putting up 26 points against the Portland Trail Blazers on Dec. 22. He and Cunningham immediately reestablished their pick-and-roll connection, which has been a core part of the Pistons' offense.
The two-game suspension for the 6-foot-10 big man felt longer, due to the first game taking place last Thursday before the NBA's All-Star break. But the Pistons weathered his loss, picking up road wins over the Toronto Raptors and New York Knicks. They are still awaiting the return of Isaiah Stewart, however, who is suspended through March 3.
Cade Cunningham finding 3-point touch
In an all-around standout season for Cunningham, 3-point shooting has been his weak point. But his percentage from outside is steadily improving during his hot streak. He entered Saturday 11-for-22 from 3 in his previous two games, going 5-for-11 against the Raptors and 6-for-11 against the Knicks.
Cunningham remained hot against the Bulls, knocking down three of his first four 3-point attempts and finishing 3-for-6. He said Thursday he hasn't been happy with his shooting this season, with his 33.8% clip his worst since his injury-shortened 2022-23 campaign. The work he has put into his jumper appears to be paying off.
"Just really locking in on the feel of it," he said Thursday\. "It’s kinda like an inside thing, it’s hard to explain but really just locking in on the way the ball feels leaving my hands and getting the ball up, giving it a chance to go through the rim. Been putting a lot of work on it. Haven’t liked the way I’ve shot the ball for most of the year. Just trying to dive into the work and make sure it’s better and it’s best come playoff time."
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Contact Omari Sankofa II at [email protected]. Follow him on Bluesky and/or X @omarisankofa.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Pistons stampede past Chicago Bulls in second half of rout