Pistons Grind It Out in Denver: Harris Clutch as Murray Misses Late in 109–107 Win
This wasn’t pretty. It wasn’t smooth. And it certainly wasn’t easy.
But this was real basketball.
On a night where the Pistons were asked to win on the road, at altitude, against a proud Nuggets team playing without Nikola Jokic but still very capable, Detroit did exactly what good teams do — they ground it out, stayed composed, and survived late chaos to escape Ball Arena with a 109–107 victory.
At this point, these aren’t coincidence wins. They’re habits.
A Game Detroit Had to Earn
Without Jokic, the Nuggets leaned heavily on Jamal Murray, and for three quarters, Detroit largely kept him in check. The Pistons crowded his space, forced tough looks, and made him work for everything.
Then came the fourth quarter.
Murray did what stars do — he amped it up, attacked downhill, and put pressure on the defense. But when the game came down to the smallest moments, the Pistons didn’t blink.
Twice down the stretch, Javonte Green fouled Murray on three-point attempts — risky, physical plays that defined the tone of the night. And twice, Murray left points on the line.
Most notably, with seconds remaining and a chance to tie the game, Murray missed a critical free throw, sealing Detroit’s road win.
Sometimes it’s not about who makes the big shot. It’s about who doesn’t.
Tobias Harris: Calm, Veteran, Clutch, The Unc
This was Tobias Harris’ 1,000th NBA game, and it looked exactly like you’d expect from a veteran who’s seen just about everything.
Harris was the UNC on this night. Greg Kelser kept calling him “Mr. T” — not Uncle T, which honestly made it even better. No chains, no mohawk — just veteran muscle, calm at the line, and family-business energy when the game needed closing.
Harris finished with 22 points and 8 rebounds, but the biggest moment came at the stripe. With the game tied late, he stepped up and knocked down two clutch free throws to give Detroit the lead for good.
No rush. No panic. Just execution.
That’s why the Pistons brought him back.
Cade Cunningham Owns the Game
Cade Cunningham continues to play like the engine of a contender.
He finished with 22 points and 11 assists, controlling tempo, picking his spots, and keeping Detroit organized when Denver made its push. This wasn’t about flashy scoring — it was about command.
Even with Jamal Murray heating up late, Cunningham never let the Pistons lose their structure.
That matters in games like this.
Depth Wins on the Road
Detroit doesn’t survive this game without balance:
- Jalen Duren: 14 points, 8 rebounds — physical, steady, reliable
- Ausar Thompson: 14 points, defensive energy all night
- Ron Holland II: 10 points, chaos creator
- Javonte Green: 10 points, physical tone-setter (and yes, the fouls that mattered)
This wasn’t a star-carry job. This was a team win, the kind that travels.
Why This Win Matters
Denver without Jokic is still not an easy out — especially in their building. Detroit didn’t rely on shooting luck or whistles. They relied on:
- Defensive discipline
- Late-game poise
- Veteran composure
- Willingness to absorb contact and pressure
That’s how playoff games are won.
Stat Capsule 🏀
Final: Pistons 109, Nuggets 107
Record: 34–11 (1st in East)
Pistons Leaders:
• Harris: 22 pts, 8 reb
• Cunningham: 22 pts, 11 ast
• Duren: 14 pts, 8 reb
• Thompson: 14 pts
• Green: 10 pts
Key Moment:
• Jamal Murray missed a critical free throw in the final seconds
🤔Food for Thought
Are the Pistons now proving they can win any style of game — including the ugly ones that define playoff basketball? Drop a comment below or join the conversation in the Pistons Hardwood Hub — where fans break down every game, every angle.
Info gathered from team reports, pressers & trusted media outlets — the way we always do it at Mitten Sports Talk.
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