The New Orleans Pelicans defeated the Detroit Pistons, 125-116, at Smoothie King Center on Thursday night.

The Pelicans (4-1) were on the second night of a back-to-back set Thursday, but early on, it would have been difficult to tell. New Orleans racked up 72 first-half points to take a 23-point lead into halftime. However, the Pistons (2-4) showed some fight in the third quarter by lopping 12 points from their deficit and then got as close as within eight points late before succumbing. The hosts were outrebounded by a 48-36 margin but shot 48.8 percent, including 43.8 percent from three-point range.

Cade Cunningham led the Pistons with a 22-point, 11-assist double-double that included two rebounds and one steal. Marcus Sasser delivered 19 points, three assists, two rebounds and one steal. Ausar Thompson posted 16 points, seven boards, five assists and one block. Jalen Duren and Jaden Ivey produced matching 12-point tallies while recording five and seven rebounds, respectively. Isaiah Stewart totaled 11 points. eight rebounds and two blocks, while Killian Ivey managed 10 points and nine assists.

CJ McCollum paced the Pelicans with 33 points, supplementing them with five assists and four rebounds. Jonas Valanciunas contributed a 23-point, 13-rebound double-double that included five assists and three blocks. Herbert Jones supplied 21 points, five rebounds, three assists, four blocks and three steals. Matt Ryan netted 20 points, two rebounds and two assists.

The Pistons return home to face the Phoenix Suns on Sunday afternoon, while the Pelicans remain home and host the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday night.