Why Jalen Duren holds key to Pistons beating Cavs for trip to Eastern Conference Finals

The Detroit Pistons managed to survive the first round of the playoffs by overcoming a 3-1 deficit against the Orlando Magic. That marked the team’s first playoff series victory since 2008. That is also the last year the Pistons made it as far as the Eastern Conference Finals in the postseason.

Now, their focus is shifting to the second round, where they will face off with Central Division rivals the Cleveland Cavaliers. The 2025-26 regular season series came to a draw at 2-to-2 between both teams. The Pistons hold home-court advantage against the Cavs. There are also areas within their roster that should help give Detroit a useful edge in this second-round matchup.

Bounce-back series by Jalen Duren

All-Star center Jalen Duren is entering this series again as one of the biggest X-factors for the Pistons. The 22-year-old had an underwhelming performance against the Magic, averaging 10.6 points and 9.4 rebounds. As one of the best rebounders in the league, Duren managed to grab double-digit rebounds in only one of the seven games in the past series.

Orlando came into the first round as one of the best defensive teams in the NBA, especially with their front-court depth. He is in a prime position to regain his All-Star form and validate his All-NBA consideration from the regular season.

Duren has had some of his performances this season against the Cavs. One of his best regular-season games came in February when he put up 33 points, grabbed 16 rebounds, and blocked three shots in a home overtime victory. Cleveland has not played with the same defensive intensity over the past few seasons. Duren can put a lot of pressure on Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen if he plays with the same defensive discipline and offensive physicality he played with in the regular season.

Make the Cavs’ starting backcourt play defense

Detroit’s offensive execution was hot-and-cold against the Magic. A big reason pointed to Orlando’s quality defensive effort. The Magic have plenty of defensive depth in their backcourt and frontcourt.

The Pistons are arguably coming into this series with the best player again, with point guard Cade Cunningham. Detroit’s MVP candidate averaged 32.7 points and 7.1 assists per game versus Orlando. He was forced into many mistakes, averaging nearly six turnovers over those seven games. Cunningham should be able to reduce those turnovers against the Cavaliers and exploit one of their biggest weaknesses.

Cleveland’s backcourt does not match well defensively with Cunningham. The Pistons have done a good job of working their best offensive players against mismatched defenders. The best way to counter the Cavaliers’ backcourt of James Harden and Donovan Mitchell is to pressure them defensively. Cunningham can keep Cleveland off balance when they send double teams to help Mitchell and Harden.

Detroit could also use another impactful series from veteran forward Tobias Harris. Harris was a reliable option in Detroit’s half-court offensive sets as a secondary creator, slashing to the paint, shooting from midrange, and scoring in the post. The Pistons need to find ways to match him up against Mitchell and Harden to wear them down. Backup point guard Daniss Jenkins can be useful as an attacker on offense, doing the same thing.

Ausar Thompson’s defensive brilliance

The Cavaliers’ offensive attack will rely heavily on what Harden and Mitchell produce. They managed to get past a tough defensive assignment with forward Scottie Barnes, but they do not get a break with Pistons’ forward Ausar Thompson waiting.

Thompson was a defensive menace against the Magic. The third-year forward registered 16 steals and 17 blocks in the first-round seven-game stretch. Thompson did a great job of staying out of foul trouble with Orlando. The Magic specializes in drawing fouls and going to the free-throw line. Thompson never picked up more than three fouls in any game of the first round.

Harden and Mitchell run a lot of action through pick-and-rolls with Mobley and Allen. Thompson is one of the best in the league at navigating through pick-and-roll sets and staying with the target on the ball. He has to use his length and elite defensive instincts to force turnovers and help Detroit’s bigs protect the rim.

Cunningham has proven himself as a reliable on-ball defender as well. He will take on the responsibility of defending either Mitchell or Harden on his end. There is also a possibility that wing defender Ron Holland plays this series, even though he was barely used against Orlando.

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