Overview
- Detroit beat the Kings 136-127 in Sacramento, with Tobias Harris scoring 24 and both Jalen Duren (23 points, 13 rebounds) and Cade Cunningham (23 points, 14 assists, 7 rebounds, 5 steals) posting double-doubles despite nine Cunningham turnovers.
- The 24-6 start is the franchise’s best through 30 games in 20 years and gives Detroit a three-game lead in the Eastern Conference over the Knicks.
- Cleaning The Glass rates the Pistons with the NBA’s No. 2 defense (109.3), the No. 9 offense (117.7) and a +8.4 point differential, tied for fourth in the league.
- One night earlier in Portland, Detroit won 110-102 after nearly surrendering a 21-point lead when Cunningham fouled out with 8:32 left, closing on an 11-2 run and leveraging 19 Blazers turnovers.
- Head coach J.B. Bickerstaff cited late-game discipline as a priority, while contributions from Ausar Thompson, Duncan Robinson, Harris and Jaden Ivey have reinforced a depth-driven approach on this West Coast trip.