Key Takeaways:
- Jalen Duren delivered 30 points and 10 rebounds as Detroit prevailed 129-108 against New Orleans on Thursday night
- The Pistons converted 53.6% (15 of 28) from three-point range, including a combined 9 of 14 from Kevin Huerter and Daniss Jenkins
- The Pelicans struggled at the free-throw line, hitting just 45.8% (11-24) and suffered their third consecutive defeat
Duren Leads the Charge as Detroit Responds Strongly
Jalen Duren spearheaded the Detroit Pistons with a commanding 30-point, 10-rebound double-double, guiding his side to a 129-108 home victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Thursday evening. The resounding win came less than 24 hours after the Pistons went down 130-129 in overtime to the Atlanta Hawks.
Kevin Huerter finished with 22 points, and Daniss Jenkins contributed 19 for Detroit. The Pistons, who typically rank among the NBA’s least efficient three-point shooting sides, enjoyed an uncharacteristically prolific night from distance – connecting on 15 of their 28 attempts for a 53.6% mark. Huerter and Jenkins themselves combined for 9 of 14 from beyond the arc.
DUBS IN THE CHAT pic.twitter.com/VWDSZOMXYt
— Detroit Pistons (@DetroitPistons) March 27, 2026
| Team | Points | Top Performers | Three-Point Percentage | Free-Throw Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit Pistons | 129 | Jalen Duren (30 pts, 10 rebs), Kevin Huerter (22 pts), Daniss Jenkins (19 pts) | 53.6% (15-28) | 78.3% (18-23) |
| New Orleans Pelicans | 108 | Zion Williamson (21 pts), Saddiq Bey (17 pts) | 36% (9-25) | 45.8% (11-24) |
Game Flow and Turning Points
The Pelicans led at the end of the opening quarter, but their momentum stalled in the second period. New Orleans struggled offensively, shooting only 40% from the field (8 of 20), missing all four of their three-point attempts and posting a 46.7% (7 of 15) success rate at the free-throw stripe. Duren tallied 13 points and seven rebounds during the quarter, helping Detroit to a 65-56 advantage by half-time.
Detroit extended their lead to 15 in the third quarter. However, New Orleans closed the gap, pulling within 92-88 early in the fourth. The Pistons responded authoritatively by sinking their next five shots—including three from deep—as part of a 15-2 scoring run over three minutes. While Pelicans coach James Borrego called a timeout to stem the momentum, the contest had largely slipped out of reach.
Statistical Highlights and Upcoming Fixtures
Zion Williamson top scored for New Orleans with 21 points, while former Pistons forward Saddiq Bey contributed 17. No other Pelican recorded more than 13 points and the team’s woes from the stripe proved costly, with just 11 successes in 24 attempts.
Looking ahead, the Pelicans will visit the Toronto Raptors on Friday. The Pistons are set to travel for a clash with the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday.
