The Detroit Pistons fired on all cylinders on opening night against the Chicago Bulls, with a 118-102 win at Little Caesars Arena.
The Pistons are undeniably legit. Right from the opening tip, it was clear that they were on a mission.
Cade Cunningham is back in action and in his element after a season-ending shin surgery. He put on a show for his first game back on home court, leading the charge with 25 points, four rebounds and 10 assists, demonstrating poise and skill beyond his years.
One of the major standout moments of his performance happened in the third quarter with a snatch-back crossover, putting the Bulls’ Coby White on skates, leaving no room for him to recover as Cunningham gathered himself and smoothly sank a pull-up jumper. The Pistons’ bench and fans erupted in wild celebration, captivated by the incredible move.
The dynamic duo
The athletic specimen and Cunningham’s pick-and-roll partner, Jalen Duren, complemented his performance with his own stellar contributions, with 23 points, 15 rebounds, and five assists. The duo between these two is scary and left the Bulls’ defense in shambles.
“Our IQs just, they match,” Duren said. “He got a high IQ; I got a high IQ, and I know what type of player he is. I feel like when he has the ball in his hands, he’s going to make something happen with it. For me, I try to get him the ball in spots where he can be effective. And I really take a lot of pride in that — take a lot of pride in getting guards open on screens and just making sure the game’s easier for them, because I know they can make the right plays.”
The numbers that Duren put up marked the 19-year-old’s third consecutive double-double, joining an exclusive club by becoming only the second teenager to achieve at least 20 points, 15 rebounds, and five assists in a game, alongside LeBron James.
A well-rounded, impressive win
There were major defensive efforts down the stretch by the Pistons’ very own rookie, Ausar Thompson. Late in the fourth quarter, he stripped the ball out of Zach Lavine’s hands, which initiated a fast break that was executed with finesse as he threw a lob to Duren for the slam, sending the crowd into a frenzy. The rookie is looking like a first-team all-defense player with so many defensive highlights already. Thompson ended the night with nine points, 12 boards, and one steal.
Experienced player Alec Burks showcased his veteran adroitness by scoring 18 points that were all from 3-point range on 11 attempts. Meanwhile, Marvin Bagley had 11 points and six rebounds, continuing to be an important factor in the paint.
Even though Zach Lavine scored a career-high 51 points, the rest of his team couldn’t assemble enough offensive help and put together a string of stops as the Pistons’ determination and cohesion proved to be insurmountable, excelling in all aspects of the game.
The victory over the Chicago Bulls is just the beginning of what promises to be an exciting season ahead, and fans have every reason to be optimistic about what the team has in store. The saying “Deeetroitt Basketball” is louder than ever.
