Charles Barkley Blasts Jalen Duren for Two Rebounds in Pistons-Cavaliers Game 5

Charles Barkley criticized Detroit Pistons forward Jalen Duren before Game 5 against the Cleveland Cavaliers in their NBA Playoffs series on Wednesday night.

The Inside the NBA crew discussed key players who needed to step up. Barkley focused on Duren, who posted eight points and two rebounds in Game 4.

"His whole game is offensive rebounds and lob dunks from Cade (Cunningham). He’s not getting those," Barkley said. "So, that’s really hurting him. Listen, he should never have two rebounds, ever. That’s two more than a dead person. You can’t ever have two rebounds. But he’s a young kid. He’s gonna get in the gym, work on the 12–15-foot jumpers or something like that. But he’s too good a player. He’s an All-Star."

The Pistons squandered a 15-point lead and lost to Cleveland 117-113 in overtime, giving the Cavaliers a 3-2 series advantage. Cleveland trailed 2-0 before winning Games 3 and 4 at home.

Duren showed slight improvement with nine points, five rebounds and four assists. He took only five shots.

Three Pistons starters reached double figures. Cade Cunningham led with 39 points. Daniels Jenkins added 19, and Tobias Harris had 13. Paul Reed scored 10 points in 17 bench minutes.

Cleveland received a big lift from James Harden, who tallied 30 points, eight rebounds and six assists. Donovan Mitchell added 21 points. Starter Dean Wade took no shots and scored nothing, but Max Strus delivered 20 points on six 3-pointers and two free throws.