Jalen Duren delivered another interior statement Monday night, finishing with 26 points and 10 rebounds as the Detroit Pistons survived a late rally to beat the Portland Trail Blazers 110-102 at Moda Center.
Detroit improved to 23-6 despite nearly letting a 21-point second-half lead slip away on the road.
Duren anchored the Pistons offensively, shooting 11-for-15 from the field and repeatedly finishing through contact as Portland struggled to contain him in the paint.
Ausar Thompson posted 18 points and 12 rebounds, giving Detroit a second consistent presence on the glass during key stretches.
Duncan Robinson added 15 points, while Cade Cunningham scored 14 and handed out nine assists before fouling out early in the fourth quarter.
Detroit appeared in full control late in the third quarter after building a 21-point cushion behind strong ball movement and offensive rebounding.
The momentum shifted once Cunningham picked up his sixth foul with 8:32 remaining, opening the door for Portland’s comeback.
The Trail Blazers responded with a 12-2 run over the next 4:20, briefly taking a one-point lead as Detroit’s offense stalled and turnovers mounted.
Shaedon Sharpe led Portland with 25 points on 11-of-21 shooting, though his eight turnovers proved costly during the final minutes.
Deni Avdija nearly filled the stat sheet with 18 points, nine assists and eight rebounds, keeping Portland within striking distance throughout the fourth quarter.
Rookie center Donovan Clingan recorded 17 points, 10 rebounds and three blocks, while Sidy Cissoko provided 16 points off the bench.
Detroit regained control with an 11-2 closing run, leaning on Duren’s interior scoring and Thompson’s activity on the offensive glass to seal the outcome.
The Pistons finished with 48 rebounds and committed only eight turnovers, helping offset a 7-for-30 night from three-point range.
Portland shot 22 percent from beyond the arc and left points at the line, going 29-for-43 on free throws in a game where every possession mattered late.
Detroit continues its West Coast swing Tuesday night in Sacramento, while the Trail Blazers remain home to host Orlando on Tuesday.
