Without the All-Star starter available, the Pistons relied on Jalen Duren early and often. JD was responsible for nine of Detroit’s first 13 points to open the contest, and the big man delivered with a nearly flawless 31-point performance. From an efficiency standpoint, the Pistons couldn’t ask much more from Duren after his 12-for-13 shooting effort from the field, but the All-Star did them one better with a peerless 7-for-7 mark from the free throw line to boot. Duren just barely missed the double-double mark with nine rebounds on the night, but the fourth-year center left another concise example as to why he should be named the league’s Most Improved Player.
