For tonight’s matchup between the Detroit Pistons and Oklahoma City Thunder, the NBA saw the top seeds from each respective conference duke it out for supremacy at Little Caesars Arena, and the All-Star pairing of Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren combined to defend home court for a 124-116 victory over an injury-riddled OKC squad. 

Coming into the game, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams were ruled out well ahead of time, then Chet Holmgren was downgraded to unavailable not long before tip-off as well. But despite those challenges, the Thunder showcased incredible depth up and down the roster to stick with the Pistons all game long, including a massive 30-point outburst from Jaylin Williams. 

In fact, Williams’ hot shooting night was almost enough to sink the Pistons down the stretch, but Cunningham and company were able to grind out another single-digit victory on Wednesday night. 

Despite falling into another early hole against OKC, the Pistons were able to ride a strong eight-point first quarter from Jalen Duren to eventually retake the lead in the second frame. From there, Cunningham worked with JD in the two-man game to set up the fourth-year center with his usual array of lobs and dunking opportunities. Duren finished the game with 29 points (12-for-17 FGs) and 15 rebounds to claim his third consecutive monster double-double after the All-Star Break.

“He’s unstoppable, and teams have to make very difficult decisions," Pistons head coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. "Coverages have to change, the amount of bodies they’ve put on him has to change. It opens it up for everybody else.”

During All-Star Weekend, Duren mentioned that his opportunity to play alongside such talented superstars helped expand his wherewithal for how great he can become, and it seems like that experience has been beneficial for JD in the second half of the season. Duren played with a sense of determination to help carry the Pistons through a few momentary lulls during the game, and he dominated the post with Detroit posting a 70-38 advantage for points in the paint. 

"Offensively, his ability to attack in different ways has come a long way," Bickerstaff said. "It used to be pick and roll, lob. Now, he can catch it, make moves, attack, finish so many different ways that defenses, again, have to make tough decisions."

Now, Duren would not receive the volume of quality looks that he does without the clever playmaking from Cunningham, and that symbiotic relationship was on display against the Thunder. Like Duren, the Pistons’ floor general posted 29 points on the night and followed up that scoring with 13 assists to facilitate his teammates, like JD, with open looks all game long. 

During the Spurs’ game on Monday, Ausar Thompson found himself riding the pine after a missed defensive assignment in the third quarter of the game. Thompson responded tonight with another textbook dynamic two-way performance for the third-year swingman. Making plays on both ends of the court, Thompson finished with 11 points, seven assists and five stocks in what was perhaps his most impactful game operating as Detroit’s secondary playmaker. Ausar filled all the gaps from Cunningham and Duren’s performances, and the Pistons needed each player in what was a narrow victory over the NBA Champions. 

Next up, the Pistons have a day off before facing the Cleveland Cavaliers at home on Friday, Feb. 27 at 7 pm.  

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