Cade Cunningham scored 28 of his 31 points in the second half and added 10 assists as the host Detroit Pistons pulled away from the Utah Jazz 114-103 on Wednesday night.
Jalen Duren powered in 22 points and 22 rebounds in Detroit’s fourth consecutive win. Ausar Thompson contributed 18 points, seven rebounds and four assists, while Isaiah Stewart had 10 points, six rebounds and three blocks. Caris LeVert chipped in 10 points.
Svi Mykhailiuk led the Jazz with 28 points, while Lauri Markkanen tossed in 25. Keyonte George added 19 points, and Jusuf Nurkic grabbed 17 rebounds. Utah shot just 38.4 percent from the field.
The Jazz learned earlier in the day that center Walker Kessler would miss the remainder of the season due to a shoulder injury. Pistons forward Tobias Harris missed his second consecutive game due to an ankle injury.
Utah led by as much as 12 points in the second quarter, but Detroit pulled within 55-53 by halftime. Duren led the Pistons’ comeback and finished the half with 18 points and 10 rebounds. Mykhailiuk topped three Utah players in double figures with 18 points. Cunningham had as many fouls (three) as points by the break.
Cunningham doubled his total in the opening minute of the third quarter, converting a 3-point play. With 5:35 left in the quarter, Thompson scored to give the Pistons a 69-61 advantage.
After the Jazz scored the next six points, the Pistons finished the third on a 9-2 run completed by a Cunningham basket.
Utah crept within three points during the first two minutes of the fourth. Ron Holland answered with a 3-pointer off a Cunningham feed.
Cunningham made a 3-pointer with 7:52 remaining to give his club a 90-80 lead.
A Thompson layup pushed the lead to 94-82 with seven minutes to go.
Utah couldn’t get any closer than seven points the rest of the way. Stewart made a 3-pointer with under a minute to go for a 112-101 Pistons lead.
–Field Level Media
