Jalen Duren scored 27 points and grabbed 21 rebounds to help the Detroit Pistons win consecutive games for the first time since October, defeating Portland 128-122 in overtime Thursday night.
Jaden Ivey had 26 points and Cade Cunningham had 23, helping the NBA’s worst Pistons climb to 8-43. They defeated Sacramento 133-120 on Wednesday night before rallying from 23 points down to overcome Portland.
“A game like this, after everything we’ve been through, losing so many guys, on a back-to-back, to go into overtime and win, that’s pretty cool for a group that’s learning the steps that it takes to win games,” Monty Williams, the coach of the Detroit Pistons, stated.
Both sides were substantially short-handed.
Detroit made numerous transactions before the deadline on Thursday, shipping off rotation players Alec Burks and Bojan Bogdanovic while waiving Joe Harris and Killian Hayes. None of the players they traded for had finished their physicals in time to join the club.
“A lot of emotions,” Duren explained. “We lost a number of our brothers, amazing individuals who were part of this program. But it is no justification. It’s a business. “Everyone knows how it goes.”
Detroit’s other two consecutive triumphs were at Charlotte and at home against Chicago in the season’s second and third games, respectively. Following that, the Pistons lost 28 consecutive games, tying an NBA record.
Portland was missing two starters, guard Malcolm Brogdon and center Deandre Ayton, who were both out due to illness, as well as backup point guard Scoot Henderson (foot) and center Duop Reath. Simons hurt his ankle during the second half and did not return.
Anfernee Simons added 29 points for the Trail Blazers.
After the Blazers built a large lead, Detroit rallied in the fourth quarter, tying the game in the final 15 seconds. Portland failed to score on their final possession, sending the game to overtime. Detroit pulled away in overtime.
“There were a lot of people in the game at that point who are normally not in the game,” Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups said. “But it’s good experience for those guys and good teachable things.”
