Detroit Pistons middle Jalen Duren makes a layup as Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine defends throughout the first half of an NBA basketball recreation, Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023, in Detroit. (AP Picture/Carlos Osorio)
DETROIT — Jalen Duren had 23 factors and 15 rebounds because the Detroit Pistons overcame a career-high 51 factors from Zach LaVine to beat the Chicago Bulls 118-102 on Saturday evening.
“I’m feeling actually comfy in my second season, however that’s not due to me,” mentioned Duren, who doesn’t flip 20 till Nov. 18. “My teammates and coaches have helped me make the sport loads simpler.”
LaVine’s effort was the primary 50-point recreation of the NBA season and made him the primary Bulls participant with 50 factors and no assists since Michael Jordan did it in opposition to the Miami Warmth on Nov. 6, 1996.
“It’s our third 12 months right here collectively, and we all know how this enterprise is,” LaVine mentioned. “All of us love one another. DeMar (DeRozan) is certainly one of my greatest associates, and we speak on a regular basis, however we’ve to determine tips on how to make this work.”
Jalen Duren owned the paint in Detroit’s home-opening win 😤
23 PTS
15 REB
2 BLK pic.twitter.com/k8lHkTcxCk
— NBA (@NBA) October 29, 2023
LaVine had been a game-time determination with again spasms.
“You realize me,” he mentioned. “I’m going to play.”
Cade Cunningham added 25 factors and 10 assists for the Pistons, who ended a 15-game dropping streak to the Bulls, whereas Alec Burks added 18 off the bench.
“I feel Cade and I are simply form of a match,” Duren mentioned. “He’s bought a excessive IQ and I’ve bought a excessive IQ and we all know the kind of gamers we’re. When he’s bought the ball in his arms, good issues are going to occur. So I’m attempting to get the ball to him.”
Cade Cunningham ran the present tonight for the Pistons‼️
25 PTS
10 AST
W pic.twitter.com/iluGXGdSF7
— NBA (@NBA) October 29, 2023
Rookie Ausar Thompson had 9 factors, 12 rebounds and 5 assists in Detroit’s house opener. He additionally helped maintain LaVine to 2 factors within the remaining eight minutes.
“It’s onerous to clarify all of the methods he makes profitable performs on the ground,” Pistons coach Monty Williams mentioned. “He had a track-down steal on LaVine that the majority gamers can’t do, and he’s blocking soar photographs by guys that the majority defenders can’t even shut out. He’s doing that and he’s simply getting began.”
DeRozan scored 20 for the Bulls, however Nikola Vucevic with 12 was the one different Bull to succeed in double figures.
LaVine, who shot 19 of 32, scored 20 factors within the third quarter, giving him 39 within the recreation, however Jaden Ivey’s 3-pointer on the buzzer gave the Pistons an 84-77 lead.
Zach LaVine meant BUSINESS tonight 😤
New career-high for the Bulls’ star ‼️
🔥 51 PTS
🔥 19/32 FG
🔥 7/13 3PT pic.twitter.com/vrqCldAfTe
— NBA (@NBA) October 29, 2023
Cunningham began the fourth with a three-point play and Burks adopted with a 3-pointer to make it a 13-point recreation. LaVine scored 10 factors to assist the Bulls get inside 95-89 with 8:33 to play.
LaVine, although, didn’t get sufficient offensive assist and the Bulls couldn’t put collectively sufficient stops. Two free throws by Cunningham made it 109-97 with 2:30 to play, and the Pistons held on for the victory.
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The Pistons shot 60.5% from the ground whereas constructing a 57-45 lead. LaVine had 19 factors within the first quarter, however didn’t rating within the second. Detroit had a 25-12 edge in bench factors, with Burks and Marvin Bagley III getting 9 every.
Duren’s double-double was the twenty second of his profession, breaking a tie with LeBron James for the third most by a youngster in NBA/ABA historical past. Moses Malone had 50 and Dwight Howard completed with 46.
UP NEXT
Bulls: Go to the Indiana Pacers on Monday.
Pistons: Go to the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder on Monday.