Cade Cunningham scored 34 points and dished out 10 assists, while Jalen Duren added 30 points and 11 rebounds to lead the Detroit Pistons past the Brooklyn Nets 125-107 Friday night at Barclays Center.
Detroit overcame a 10-point first-quarter deficit, taking a five-point halftime lead before Cunningham took over in the third, scoring 14 points as the Pistons outscored Brooklyn 34-19 in the period.
Cunningham was 13 for 18 from the field and made all six of his free throws, continuing his streak of high-level play, averaging 29.8 points and 11.2 assists while shooting 54% from the field during Detroit’s five-game winning streak.
Duren added 11 rebounds, including key boards during a decisive third-quarter surge, while Ausar Thompson contributed 14 points and Caris LeVert added 10 for Detroit. The Pistons improved to 7-2 overall and have now won four straight matchups against the Nets.
Brooklyn was led by Michael Porter Jr., who scored 28 points, and Noah Clowney, who added 19. The Nets were without Cam Thomas due to a strained left hamstring, sidelining him for an estimated three to four weeks.
Detroit extended its lead with two 7-0 runs in the third quarter, the first sparked by Cunningham’s five points and the second capped by Duren’s dunk to make it 82-65, forcing a Brooklyn timeout. The Pistons maintained control for the remainder of the game.
Detroit shot 57.6% overall and made six of 26 from three-point range, while Brooklyn struggled with 42.5% shooting and 37% from deep. The Pistons also dominated the boards, pulling down 49 rebounds, including 19 on the offensive glass.
The Pistons will continue NBA Cup play with a matchup at Philadelphia on Sunday, while Brooklyn returns home to face New York the same night.
