The Detroit Pistons got a great game out of Ausar Thompson in Game 5, despite a few mistakes throughout the night. In fact, his performance was everything that the Pistons have been wanting from Jalen Duren all series. The big man has been slumping in the playoffs, but Thompson stepped up in a big way.
Cade Cunningham was obviously the star of the show in Game 5, but Thompson played well, too. He filled up the stat sheet, looked great on the defensive end, and even contributed as a playmaker. Meanwhile, Duren had yet another less-than-stellar showing with the Pistons’ season on the line.
Luckily for Detroit, Thompson was there to save the day.
Ausar Thompson gave Pistons what Jalen Duren hasn't
The Pistons still didn’t put up a ton of points in Game 5. Cunningham led the way for Detroit with 45 points -- a mark that set the Pistons’ franchise record in scoring in a single playoff game.
Tobias Harris was right behind him. He put up 23 points. Duren only had 12 points, and Duncan Robinson also chipped in with 12 as a member of the starting lineup.
But while Thompson didn’t necessarily chip in in the scoring column, he gave the Pistons a ton of production in almost every other area of the game. He put together a complete performance.
Thompson ended Game 5 with six points and shot just 3-of-5 from the field. However, he also added 15 rebounds, six assists, five steals, and two blocks (and unfortunately five turnovers as well).
Duren hasn’t been his usual self this postseason. He hasn’t been scoring at the rate he did in the regular season, and his rebounding efforts haven’t been at the same level either.
As a result, the Pistons have struggled to put away the Magic -- the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference and a team that lost their final game of the regular season to the Boston Celtics’ bench mob.
Thompson stepped up to the plate in Game 5, providing the Pistons with the rebounding and defense that they need to get from Duren more consistently.
And even though he didn’t contribute much in the scoring column (which the Pistons need), he managed to dish out six assists, which helped keep the Pistons’ offense flowing. Plus, his four offensive rebounds gave Detroit some extra possessions.
Duren wasn’t bad in Game 5. He had five offensive rebounds himself. But Thompson’s showing was closer to what they need from Duren than anything Duren has given them this series.