Jalen Duren made a dominant return from an ankle injury, piling up 31 points, and Daniss Jenkins added 26 as the short-handed Detroit Pistons (12-2) pushed their winning streak to 10 games with a 127-112 win over the NBA-worst Indiana Pacers (1-13) on Monday night.
Despite missing key contributors — including Cade Cunningham (hip), Tobias Harris (ankle), and Ausar Thompson (ankle) — Detroit continued its surprising early-season surge. The Pistons, now winners of 10 straight for the first time since their 11-game run in 2007-08, became the first team in the Eastern Conference to reach 12 victories.
The 1-13 Pacers dropped their eighth straight and remained winless on the road at 0-8. Last season’s NBA finalists are now stuck in their longest losing skid since 2014-15.
Detroit’s depth powered the victory, with 10 players scoring and five reaching double figures. Javonte Green poured in 20 off the bench, Duncan Robinson added 13, and Isaiah Stewart chipped in 10.
Pascal Siakam led Indiana with 29 points, while Benedict Mathurin added 25 in the loss.
The Pistons took the lead for good when Robinson knocked down a 3-pointer with seven minutes left in the first quarter. After a competitive opening period, Detroit broke the game open with a 20-4 surge to start the second, pushing the advantage to 46-27 behind eight quick points from Duren. Indiana briefly answered with a 12-0 run, but Detroit closed the half strong, going up 62-46 at the break.
Indiana outscored the Pistons 56-55 in the second half but never seriously threatened, as Detroit maintained control wire to wire while continuing one of the league’s most unexpected winning streaks.
Up Next
*Pacers: Visit Atlanta on Tuesday.
Pistons: Host Charlotte on Wednesday.*
