The Detroit Pistons delivered a commanding 127-81 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Monday night, led by Cade Cunningham’s 24 points and eight assists.
Simone Fontecchio came off the bench to add 23 points on an efficient 9-for-10 shooting performance, helping Detroit (38-31) maintain its hold on the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference. The Pistons established early control with a 24-5 run spanning the first and second quarters, building a 63-32 halftime lead.
Zion Williamson led the Pelicans (18-51) with 30 points, six rebounds, and two blocks, but his efforts were not enough to prevent New Orleans from suffering its seventh loss in eight games. Yves Missi recorded a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds, but the Pelicans struggled offensively, shooting just 32.6% from the field and 15.6% from three-point range.
Fontecchio’s sharpshooting gave the Pistons a major boost, as he connected on all five of his three-point attempts and added seven rebounds in just over 21 minutes. Jalen Duren contributed across the board with nine points, seven rebounds, and six assists, while Dennis Schroder provided 12 points and five assists off the bench.
Postgame, New Orleans announced that Trey Murphy III suffered a torn labrum and a partial rotator cuff tear in his right shoulder, an injury that occurred when he dislocated the shoulder in the first quarter. He will miss the rest of the season, adding to the Pelicans’ injury woes.
The Pistons also dominated the rebounding battle, outrebounding New Orleans 50-39, with Duren and Fontecchio leading the charge. Detroit’s defense held the Pelicans to just 13 points in the first quarter and 19 in the second, setting the tone for the one-sided contest.
With the win, Detroit strengthened its playoff positioning, while New Orleans continues to struggle near the bottom of the Western Conference.
