The Detroit Pistons defeated the Brooklyn Nets 110-94 at Barclays Center, turning a physical defensive performance into a convincing road win. Cade Cunningham led Detroit with 28 points, 11 assists and eight rebounds, while Jalen Duren dominated the paint with 17 points and 15 rebounds.

Detroit’s defense sets the tone

The Pistons held Brooklyn to 39% shooting from the field and forced 18 turnovers, never allowing the Nets to settle into a comfortable half-court rhythm. Detroit’s perimeter defenders crowded Brooklyn’s ball handlers, and Duren controlled the defensive glass, limiting second-chance points. The Nets managed only 44 points in the first half and trailed by 13 at the break.

Brooklyn found brief life in the third quarter behind Cam Thomas, who scored 23 points, and Nic Claxton’s activity around the rim. Claxton finished with 12 points and 11 rebounds, while Michael Porter Jr. added 15 points. But every Nets run was met by a Detroit response, usually sparked by Cunningham’s pick-and-roll decision-making or Ausar Thompson’s transition pressure.

Key moments

• Detroit closed the second quarter on an 18-2 run, turning a one-point deficit into a 57-44 halftime lead.
• Ausar Thompson’s steal and fast-break dunk early in the fourth pushed the Pistons’ advantage to 19.
• Brooklyn cut the lead to 11 with six minutes left, but Cunningham answered with a three and a lob to Duren on consecutive possessions.

Standout performers

Cunningham was the engine, scoring at all three levels and finding Detroit’s shooters when Brooklyn collapsed. Duren’s 15 rebounds included five on the offensive end, and his screen-setting created space for Cunningham throughout the night. Thompson added 13 points, eight rebounds and three steals, while Tobias Harris chipped in 14 points. For Brooklyn, Thomas was the primary offensive threat, but the Nets shot just 7-of-31 from three-point range and never found a consistent secondary scorer.

What the result means

Detroit improves to 3-2 and looks increasingly comfortable in close, physical games. The Pistons’ defense has been a stabilizing force early in the season, and Cunningham’s command of the offense is giving them a clear identity. Brooklyn drops to 1-4 and continues to search for offensive balance around Thomas. The Nets will need better spacing and ball movement to avoid relying on contested isolation shots, while Detroit heads home with momentum and a defense that is beginning to travel.