Breaking down Cade Cunningham’s near MVP-level play for Pistons
Bryce and Omari analyze Cunningham’s near MVP tier performance for Detroit Pistons.
After missing two games, Duncan Robinson returned and helped the Detroit Pistons close out a win at home.
Robinson hit two 3-pointers and a pair of free throws during a game-clinching 14-2 run, and the Pistons defeated the Portland Trail Blazers, 122-116, on Friday, Dec. 5, to improve to 18-5.
The Pistons trailed, 108-103, with 3:30 to play, but took the lead a minute later as Cade Cunningham (27 points, nine assists and three steals) got inside for a layup.
Cunningham scored 13 points in the final period, and Robinson (14 points, seven rebounds) added eight points in the fourth. Jalen Duren finished with 18 points and eight rebounds. Deni Avdija led Portland with 35 points.
Coach J.B. Bickerstaff and players were frustrated with the officiating, particularly after a missed call on Tobias Harris in the fourth quarter set up a four-point play for the Blazers on the other end. With 3:43 on the clock and the Pistons up 103-102, Robert Williams III hit Harris’ arm on a dunk attempt. He was credited with a block, and former Piston Jerami Grant completed high-scoring possession on the other end — and got Portland the ball back — when Ausar Thompson’s foul was upgraded to a Flagrant-1.
A midrange jumper from Avdija followed, setting up the Blazers’ 108-103 lead before the Pistons answered with a run.
“It’s growth for us, right?,” Bickerstaff said. “Things were happening out there that were out of our control and instead of reacting to it, we went out and did the job. I give our guys a ton of credit for that because it wasn’t easy, and it was frustrating. Last year I think that would’ve rattled us, but this year you’ve seen the maturation of our group and they were able to handle it well, stay calm and then go out and execute.”
The Pistons led by as many as 13 in the first half and by seven at halftime, but were outscored by the Blazers, 27-19, in the third quarter. Even though Portland only made 35% of their shots in the period (7-for-20), they had an edge in made free throws (9-for-9 while the Pistons went 2-for-5) and 3-pointers (6-for-11 as the Pistons went 1-for-6).
Detroit bounced back in the fourth quarter, outscoring Portland 38-31 and holding them to 1-for-10 shooting from beyond the arc.
The Pistons will have a quick turnaround, with the second game of a back-to-back at home against the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday (7:30 p.m., FanDuel Sports Network Detroit). The Bucks beat the Pistons, 113-109, on Wednesday.
Duncan Robinson hits big shots in return
The Pistons clearly missed their top shooter. It was a quiet night for Robinson before the fourth quarter, but the Michigan alumnus delivered the most consequential 3-pointers late against the Blazers to help close out the win.
With 2:35 remaining, he knocked down a 3 to tie the game at 110. His next 3, with 1:48, to go made it a two-possession game, 115-110. He added a pair of free throws at the 1:15 mark to extend the Pistons’ lead to seven and cap the game-clinching run.
The Pistons had struggled from the arc with Robinson out, shooting a season-worst 19.2% on 3s in Monday’s win over the Atlanta Hawks. The Pistons fared better Wednesday in Milwaukee, but still struggled, shooting 32.6% beyond the arc. Their spacing looked improved against the Blazers, and their numbers were also better: 10-for-24 (41.7%) from 3.
“He relishes those moments,” Bickerstaff said. “Since we’ve had him we watch him and he’s not afraid of the moment. He loves the moment. He knows what this team needs. He’s one of our guys that’s our best catch-and-shoot guy off the move and he knows how to create those shots and stretch the floor, create that space. He’s got nerves of steel and a ton of courage.”
Isaiah Stewart puts on block party
It was almost a picture-perfect poster dunk. Blazers wing Sidy Cissoko had an open lane and full head of steam when he met Isaiah Stewart at the rim. The big is top-10 in blocks this season and has been tough to dunk on. He stonewalled Cissoko at the rim, sending him to the floor after swatting the dunk attempt.
Blazers high-flyer Shaedon Sharpe suffered a similar fate in the fourth quarter, initially drawing a foul on a poster attempt before a challenge by Bickerstaff overturned the call. Stewart finished with nine points and four blocks – his fifth game this season with at least four swats.
After the game, Bickerstaff vouched for Stewart as the best defensive center in the league. Cunningham agreed.
“Nobody times dunks, layups, whatever, like he does,” Cunningham said. “It’s impressive. It’s honestly kinda scary. If he just gets his fingertips on it, it’s like he’s got fingertips of vibranium. It’s insane. He’s special. It’s what makes him so good, it’s what makes him an NBA player is his special timing, his defensive versatility and all that stuff and his fearlessness. That’s why he goes up every single time; no matter who people say you are, he’s still gonna go and jump with you.”
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