The Detroit Pistons are officially heading back to the playoffs. It is the first time the franchise has gone to the playoffs in consecutive seasons since 2009. The clinching victory came at the hands of an undermanned Golden State Warriors team, 115-101.
Cade Cunningham missed his second consecutive game with a collapsed lung, and Jalen Duren once again led the team to victory. He scored 23 points on 8-of-12 shooting and added six rebounds. Daniss Jenkins, who has really been struggling with his offense lately regained a bit of his scoring punch. Starting in place of Cunningham, Jenkins scored 22 points, dished eight assists, and secured seven rebounds.
The Pistons dominated in their typical phases of the game. They had a 30-point edge in the paint (74-44), almost quadrupled them in fastbreak points (19-5) and forced (or were gifted) 26 Golden State turnovers. Ausar Thompson led the way with seven swipes. Detroit was down nine midway through the second quarter, but then they turned on the pressure, started to get out and run, and never looked back. They led by a smany as 24 in the second half.
Paul Reed continued his stellar showing in place of the injured Isaiah Stewart with 15 points off the bench, while Tobias Harris had 13 and Duncan Robinson and Ron Holland also had double figures with 11 apiece.
Next up for the Pistons is hosting the white-hot Los Angeles Lakers, who have won eight games in a row.
See More:
* [Detroit Pistons Game Day](/detroit-pistons-game-day)
* [Pistons Scores](/pistons-scores-results)