Jalen Duren scored 24 points to lead the Pistons to a 128-106 preseason win over the Timberwolves on Wednesday night. Sportsnet put the 24 points in its highlights summary. Yahoo Sports called Duren "nearly flawless" and said Detroit's depth "shines again in dominant second half." The box score backs both claims. Duren went 8-of-9 from the field and 8-of-8 at the line in only 15 minutes, with three rebounds, two steals and a block.
Yahoo's recap framed the night as the Pistons "pestering" their way into Target Center. It also said this was Minnesota's only home preseason game. The game did not start that way. Minnesota took the first quarter 38-29. Detroit then won the second 36-20, the third 32-24 and the fourth 31-24. The Pistons' largest lead was 26, and Minnesota's was 10.
The gap was mostly in the paint and on the glass. Detroit shot 57% (45-of-79) to Minnesota's 38% (29-of-76). It scored 64 points in the paint to the Wolves' 30 and out-rebounded them 45-34. Both teams had 20 turnovers and both gave up 22 points off them. Detroit also had 32 assists to Minnesota's 23.
The depth point from Yahoo also holds up. Duncan Robinson scored 15 off the bench with four threes. Isaiah Joe had 14, and John Collins added 11 on 4-of-5 shooting. Cade Cunningham had 14 points and nine assists but also five turnovers. For Minnesota, Anthony Edwards scored 20 on 5-of-15 shooting with a team-worst -15. Jonathan Kuminga had 16 on 5-of-6.
Duren's efficiency fits his recent history. Last season he averaged 7.5 made field goals on 11.5 attempts, a 65.0% mark, in 28.2 minutes over 70 games, all of them starts. He took no threes then, and went 0-of-1 from deep here. ESPN's highlight package carried no further detail, and none of the four outlets gave a quote from Duren or either coach.
Both teams play again Friday, Oct. 16. Detroit hosts Toronto in its next game. Minnesota heads to Chicago, a trip that comes after Wednesday's loss and after wins at New York and Miami.
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