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. They 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.
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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.
Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) dunks against Portland Trail Blazers during the first half at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Friday, Dec. 5, 2025.
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 the arc.
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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).
Duncan Robinson hits big shots in return
Detroit Pistons forward Duncan Robinson (55) celebrates a 3-pointer against Portland Trail Blazers during the second half at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Friday, Dec. 5, 2025.
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.
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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 against the Bucks on 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.
Isaiah Stewart puts on block party
Detroit Pistons forward Isaiah Stewart (28) looks at the ball falls out of bound against Portland Trail Blazers during the first half at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Friday, Dec. 5, 2025.
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.
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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 Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff overturned the call. Stewart finished with nine points and four blocks – his fifth game this season with at least four swats.
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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Pistons rally again to beat Portland Trail Blazers