Detroit overturns an early deficit behind Duren
Jalen Duren scored 24 points in 15 minutes and four seconds as the Detroit Pistons defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves 128–106 at Target Center on October 14. Detroit recovered from a nine-point first-quarter deficit in the preseason contest, played on October 15 in Philippine time.
Duren made eight of nine field-goal attempts and all eight of his free throws. His only missed shot was a three-pointer. He added three rebounds, two steals and a block, producing Detroit's highest scoring total despite playing barely a quarter of an hour.
Minnesota opened with a 38-point first quarter and led 38–29. Detroit changed the direction of the game in the second, outscoring the Timberwolves 36–20 to take a 65–58 halftime lead. The Pistons then won the third quarter 32–24 and the fourth 31–24, outscoring Minnesota 99–68 over the final three periods.
Duncan Robinson supported Duren with 15 points and six rebounds, making four of five three-point attempts. Cade Cunningham recorded 14 points and nine assists, although he also committed five turnovers. Isaiah Joe scored 14 and John Collins added 11 as Detroit received contributions throughout its rotation.
Anthony Edwards led Minnesota with 20 points, making all nine of his free throws but shooting 5-for-15 from the field. Jonathan Kuminga scored 16 on 5-for-6 shooting, and Jaden McDaniels added 12. LaMelo Ball finished with three points and six assists.
Detroit shot 57 percent overall, made 11 of 25 three-point attempts and finished with 33 assists. Minnesota shot 38.2 percent from the floor. Both teams made 11 three-pointers, but the Pistons held a substantial 64–30 advantage in paint scoring.
The Timberwolves earned 44 free-throw attempts and converted 37, ten more makes than Detroit. That advantage was not enough to compensate for the difference in field-goal efficiency. Duren's finishing and Detroit's sustained scoring after the first quarter provided the decisive separation in a game that initially favored Minnesota.