Pistons avoid massive collapse in victory over Trail Blazers

Coty M. Davis, The Detroit News on Mar 10, 2025

By clicking submit, I authorize Arcamax and its affiliates to: (1) use, sell, and share my information for marketing purposes, including cross-context behavioral advertising, as described in our Privacy Policy , (2) add to information that I provide with other information like interests inferred from web page views, or data lawfully obtained from data brokers, such as past purchase or location data, or publicly available data, (3) contact me or enable others to contact me by email or other means with offers for different types of goods and services, and (4) retain my information while I am engaging with marketing messages that I receive and for a reasonable amount of time thereafter. I understand I can opt out at any time through an email that I receive, or by clicking here

Twenty-four hours after a tough loss to the Golden State Warriors, the Detroit Pistons concluded their four-game road trip against the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday night. Playing on the second night of a back-to-back, coach J.B. Bickerstaff had one concerning attribute — respect.

"I’m not concerned, but it is all about respect,” Bickerstaff said before the game. “They have individual guys who can create one-on-one opportunities and get hot. They drive the ball well. They know how to get to the paint. We just have to be sound defensively and execute our stuff.”

Despite being the league’s most improved team this season, the Pistons played a handful of games in which they performed below the level of a few inferior opponents, which led to some embarrassing losses.

The Trail Blazers entered the game with a 15-8 record since mid-January, proving that they are no longer one of the league’s bottom feeders. However, when the postseason starts in April, they will be one of 14 teams that will not qualify.

With the goal of ending their two-game losing streak, Bickerstaff warned his team about overlooking Portland. The Pistons took this message to heart, leading to a 119-112 victory at Moda Center. The win improved the club's record to 36-29 overall and 11-3 over its previous 13 games.

"It was that mental toughness we talk about," Bickerstaff said. "Coming in here on a tough back-to-back where guys played heavy minutes the night before, trying to hold off a team that has guys who can get hot, I thought we did a good job where everyone helped us make a play late, whether a defensive play or an offensive play."

The Trail Blazers did not double-team Cade Cunningham during the first half, and their defensive scheme led to the All-Star guard's efficient performance. He scored 15 points (6-of-12 FG) in the first half, and his scoring output led to the Pistons' 64-58 advantage by halftime.

However, the Trail Blazers adjusted their defense in the second half, which contributed to Cunningham's mediocre night. He recorded a team-best 28 points on 9-of-17 shooting and five assists, but it was another rough performance of ball security with eight turnovers.

But when the Pistons held control of the game, it wasn’t a one-person show. Jalen Duren recorded 18 points and 12 rebounds, accounting for his seventh double-double over the last 11 outings.

Duren was critical in helping the Pistons open the second half on an 18-6 run. At the 7:23 mark of the third quarter, he completed an alley-oop dunk assisted by Cunningham over the top of Trail Blazers’ Toumani Camara. The connection led to Detroit holding its largest lead of the night at 18 points (82-64).

Tobias Harris added 20 points and nine rebounds, while Isaiah Stewart had one of the better defensive performances of the season, with six rebounds and a season-high five blocks.

"This was big for us," Cunningham said. "We needed 2-2 because we could not afford to have a losing trip. This was a big win for us for sure."

However, the Trail Blazers began to give the Pistons a massive scare late in the third quarter. They cut their deficit to 11 points (97-86) amid a 10-0 run late in the period ignited by Anfernee Simons.

Simons scored a game-high 34 points, with 24 coming in the second half. A turnover by Cunningham led to the Pistons holding a six-point lead (101-95) with 7:54 left in the fourth quarter. Second-year guard Scoot Henderson (15 points) connected on a layup with 4:52 left, which led to the Trail Blazers trailing 105-101.

With 1:51 remaining, Shaedon Sharpe (12 Points) scored on his respective layup to cut Detroit's lead to three (113-110). However, on Detroit's next offensive possession, the Trail Blazers fouled Cunningham, who halted Portland's comeback by nailing two free throws.

Former Pistons forward Jerami Grant scored 24 points.

"We executed down the stretch and made sure that we took care of the ball," Stewart said. "We made sure we got good looks and good shots. But most importantly, we made sure to finish our defensive possessions with rebounds."

Up next

The Pistons will return to Detroit for a three-game homestand that will begin Tuesday night against the Washington Wizards. It will be the first of a two-game series against Washington that will conclude on Thursday. Tip-off against the Wizards is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Little Caesars Arena.