Pistons Extend Winning Streak, Stifle Pelicans in Wire-to-Wire Victory 112-104

It is becoming a familiar script for the Detroit Pistons this season: show up, strike first, and suffocate the opposition before they even have a chance to breathe. On Wednesday night at the Smoothie King Center, Detroit didn’t just beat the New Orleans Pelicans; they dismantled the game plan from the opening tip, cruising to a 112-104 victory that was nowhere near as close as the final score might suggest.

This win marks the fourth straight victory for Detroit and their seventh in the last eight games, further cementing their status as the team to beat in the Eastern Conference. With a record of 32-10, the Pistons aren’t just winning; they are playing with a cohesion and maturity that has been absent from Motor City basketball for far too long.

Duren Dominates the Paint

If you want to understand why Detroit is rolling right now, look no further than Jalen Duren. The big man was an absolute force of nature in the paint, tallying 20 points and snatching 15 rebounds. Duren set the tone just 16 seconds into the contest with a thunderous dunk that seemed to suck the air right out of the building.

He wasn’t just finishing plays; he was dictating them. Whether he was cleaning up the glass or muscling through contact for tough buckets, the Pelicans simply had no answer for his physicality. When your center is controlling the interior on both ends of the floor, it opens up the perimeter for everyone else, and Detroit took full advantage.

A Blistering Start silences the Crowd

Great teams don’t play down to the level of their competition, and the Pistons illustrated that perfectly in the first quarter. Facing a struggling Pelicans squad that came in with a 10-36 record, Detroit could have easily sleepwalked through the opening minutes. Instead, they came out firing.

The Pistons ripped off a 13-0 run to start the game, effectively ending the competitive portion of the evening before some fans had even found their seats. They led by as many as 13 points and never trailed—not for a single second. That kind of wire-to-wire dominance is the hallmark of a contender. It requires focus, discipline, and a refusal to let the opponent find any rhythm.

Balanced Attack Overcomes Late Push

While Duren was the headliner, the supporting cast was stellar. Daniss Jenkins provided a steady hand in the backcourt, adding 17 points and keeping the offense fluid. Duncan Robinson stretched the floor beautifully, draining four three-pointers on his way to 15 points. When Robinson is hitting from deep, it creates spacing nightmares for defenses, leaving lanes wide open for Duren and Jenkins to operate.

To their credit, New Orleans didn’t fold completely. Sparked by rookie Micah Peavy—who had a career night with 17 points, seven rebounds, and four steals—the Pelicans managed to claw their way back late. A Peavy three-pointer with under six minutes left cut the Detroit lead to just five, briefly waking up the home crowd.

But the Pistons didn’t panic. They simply executed. They tightened up on defense, moved the ball, and hit the shots necessary to keep New Orleans at arm’s length. It was a professional close-out job against a desperate team.

Zion’s Exit and Pelicans’ Woes

The night went from bad to worse for New Orleans when Zion Williamson exited the game early in the third quarter. Listed as questionable coming in with an illness, Williamson tried to give it a go but clearly wasn’t himself, managing just four points in 15 minutes before retreating to the locker room.

Without their star, the Pelicans relied heavily on former Piston Saddiq Bey, who led his squad with 20 points. While Bey played with a chip on his shoulder against his former team, the Pelicans’ lack of depth was exposed by Detroit’s relentless pressure. New Orleans has now lost 14 of their last 16 games, a tailspin that seems to have no end in sight.

What’s Next for Detroit

The Pistons are clicking on all cylinders right now. They are winning at home, they are grinding out wins on the road, and they are beating the teams they are supposed to beat.

There is no rest for the weary, however. Detroit heads home to host the Houston Rockets on Friday night, looking to push its winning streak to five. If Wednesday’s performance in the Big Easy was any indication, the Rockets are going to have their hands full dealing with a Pistons team that looks ready to make a serious run at the title.