Jalen Duren dominates with 23 points and 15 rebounds to lead the Detroit Pistons to a thrilling 118-102 victory over the Chicago Bulls. This game featured a standout performance from Zach LaVine, who scored a career-high 51 points for the Bulls.
“I owe a lot of credit to my teammates and coaches for making the game easier for me,” said Duren, who is just 19 years old and already showcasing his skills in his second season.
LaVine’s spectacular effort marked the first 50-point game of the NBA season. He became the first Bulls player since Michael Jordan in 1996 to score 50 points without recording any assists.
“We’ve been together for three years now, and we understand the challenges of this business,” LaVine commented. “Despite our close bond, we need to find ways to make our team successful.”
Despite battling back spasms, LaVine insisted on playing in the game, showcasing his determination and commitment to the team.
The Pistons also received strong contributions from Cade Cunningham, who scored 25 points and dished out 10 assists, and Alec Burks, who provided 18 points off the bench. These performances helped the Pistons snap their 15-game losing streak against the Bulls.
In a remarkable third quarter, LaVine erupted for 20 points, bringing his total to 39. However, Jaden Ivey’s buzzer-beating 3-pointer granted the Pistons an 84-77 advantage heading into the final period.
The fourth quarter saw Cunningham’s three-point play followed by a 3-pointer from Burks, establishing a comfortable 13-point lead for the Pistons. Although LaVine tried to rally the Bulls with 10 points, they couldn’t generate enough offense and defensive stops to close the gap. The Pistons held on to their lead, securing the victory.
Impressively, the Pistons shot an impressive 60.5% from the field, propelling them to a 57-45 halftime lead. Notably, their bench players, including Burks and Marvin Bagley III, contributed significantly with a combined total of 25 points.
Duren’s stellar performance earned him his 22nd career double-double, surpassing LeBron James and ranking him third in NBA/ABA history for teenagers. Only Moses Malone (50) and Dwight Howard (46) have recorded more double-doubles at such a young age.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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