Jalen Duren scored 26 points in three quarters and Cade Cunningham collected 21 and 15 assists as the Detroit Pistons seized control early, stopping a season-worst four-game skid with a wire-to-wire 138-100 rout of the Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday night in New York.
Three nights after blowing a 23-point lead at home to the Nets, Detroit left little doubt and secured things by halftime en route to their second lopsided victory over Brooklyn this season.
Duren converted three dunks and shot 9 of 10 from the field as the Pistons played a flawless game and earned their sixth win in the teams’ past eight meetings.
Cunningham, who sat out Saturday’s loss, made eight of 10 shots and finished three shy of his career high for assists The star guard also hit four 3s as Detroit shot 56.5% from the field and 50% (16 of 32) from 3-point range.
Duncan Robinson made all six of his shots and contributed 15 and Marcus Sasser chipped in 14. Ron Holland II finished with 16 and Daniss Jenkins had 14 as the Pistons led by double-digits for the final 41 1/2 minutes and matched their third-biggest margin of victory this season.
The Nets were unable to win three straight for the second time this season and lost for the 11th time in 13 games. Brooklyn shot 42% and made 13 of 38 3-point attempts.
Michael Porter Jr. led the Nets with 19 points but Brooklyn’s other four starters — Noah Clowney, Nic Claxton and rookies Drake Powell and Nolan Traore — were a combined 6 of 21 from the field. Jalen Wilson added 14 points and rookie Danny Wolf finished with 13 for the Nets.
Duren and Cunningham combined for 21 points as the Pistons led by 16 and held a 38-27 lead through the opening quarter. The Pistons ripped off 13 consecutive points to turn an 11-point lead into a 53-29 lead on two free throws by Jenkins with 6 1/2 minutes left. Detroit took its first 30-point lead when Duren’s slam made it 66-36 with just over two minutes left.
The Pistons held a 73-40 lead by halftime and led 105-73 through three when they pulled their starters for good.
