Pistons Survive Scare in Portland, Defeat Trail Blazers 110–102
The Detroit Pistons continue to answer every test put in front of them. Monday night’s 110–102 win over the Portland Trail Blazers wasn’t pretty from start to finish, but it was another reminder of how far this group has come.
Detroit built a massive cushion, watched it nearly disappear, then calmly took the game back when it mattered most. The result? A gritty road win at the Moda Center that pushes the Pistons to an Eastern Conference-best 23–6 record. Now I know gritty is an overused tagline around here, but in this case, it’s well deserved.
More importantly, getting off to a strong start on the first leg of a five-game West Coast swing was critical. It also marked the Pistons’ first three-game winning streak against Portland since the 2016–17 season.
Dominance in the Paint
Detroit’s identity showed up early and often — control the paint, dictate the tone.
Jalen Duren was unstoppable inside, pouring in 26 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. Portland had no answer for his strength, touch, and timing around the rim. Whenever the offense stalled, the Pistons went right back to Duren — and he delivered.
Right alongside him was Ausar Thompson, who once again filled every column of the box score. Thompson finished with 18 points and 12 rebounds, flying around defensively, cleaning the glass, and igniting transition chances that kept Detroit steady.
Together, Duren and Thompson combined for 44 points and 22 rebounds, reinforcing exactly who the Pistons are becoming — a physical, relentless team that wins battles inside.
The Third-Quarter Scare
For a stretch, this looked like cruise control. Detroit pushed its lead to 21 points in the third quarter, moving the ball well and smothering Portland defensively.
Then things got shaky.
The Pistons’ offense cooled off, the Blazers found rhythm, and momentum flipped quickly. Matters got even more complicated when Cade Cunningham fouled out with more than eight minutes still to play. Cunningham had 14 points, but his exit left Detroit without its primary playmaker during Portland’s surge.
Briefly, the Blazers grabbed the lead. The Moda Center came alive, and suddenly a comfortable win turned into a full-blown gut check.
Closing Time: An 11–2 Statement Run
Good teams panic. Great teams respond.
Detroit did the latter.
Behind timely shooting from Duncan Robinson (15 points) and renewed defensive focus from Thompson and Duren, the Pistons ripped off a decisive 11–2 run to close the game. Robinson’s spacing stretched the floor, opening lanes inside, while the defense locked down and forced tough looks.
The highlight of the night came off a missed 16-foot jumper by Tobias Harris. The shot rimmed out to the left, and out of nowhere Ausar Thompson came flying in from the corner, unguarded, for an acrobatic put-back dunk that felt like the exclamation point on the win with just under a minute remaining.
Even the broadcast couldn’t keep up — announcer Johnny Kane completely lost it, erupting into a joyful tizzy after the slam. It was one of those moments that sticks with you — a flash of energy, athleticism, and emotion that perfectly captured this season’s growing list of Pistons highlights.
This is where the growth shows. In past seasons, a blown 21-point lead might have unraveled everything. This group stayed composed, executed late, and walked out with a professional road win — their eighth victory in the last ten games.
Stat Capsule 📊🏀
Game Leaders
- Jalen Duren: 26 PTS, 10 REB
- Ausar Thompson: 18 PTS, 12 REB
- Duncan Robinson: 15 PTS
- Cade Cunningham: 14 PTS (fouled out)
Team Control
- Paint Points: Pistons advantage (Duren-led)
- Rebounding Edge: Detroit controlled the glass late
- Closing Run: 11–2 Pistons to finish
Big Picture
- Record: 23–6 (East-best)
- Road Win: Resilience over style points
- Trend: Winning even when things get uncomfortable
Isaiah Stewart Sets the Tone
There’s nothing subtle about Isaiah Stewart and the way he defends. His impact is loud, physical, and impossible to ignore. Every drive into the paint comes with consequences, and opponents feel his presence long before the box score tells the full story.
Offensively, Stewart finished with just three points in this one — well below his 10-point-per-game average — but that hardly told the story of his night. His value doesn’t always show up in scoring bursts. It shows up in altered shots, hard contests, physical screens, and possessions that quietly swing momentum. Sometimes you don’t fully appreciate his influence until you scan the stat sheet — and then it all adds up.
Stewart still delivered three blocks, and the league-wide numbers reinforce his importance. He ranks second in the NBA in blocks per game (1.9), first in opponent field-goal percentage at the rim (44.5%), and top five in contested shots. That’s not accidental — that’s relentless rim protection.
Cade Cunningham is the leader of this team. But when it comes to toughness and identity, Stewart and Jalen Duren are the backbone. They set the physical tone, control the paint, and make sure Detroit never backs down.
Roster Notes
Detroit continues to manage health and development during the road trip.
- Ronald Holland II sat out with left knee soreness and is listed day-to-day. Head coach J. B. Bickerstaff said the team is taking a cautious approach.
What’s Next
There’s no easing up. The Pistons stay on the road and face the Sacramento Kings on Tuesday, December 23, at the Golden 1 Center.
It’s another late-night tip for East Coast fans, but with Duren rolling, Cunningham set to return fresh, and this team proving it can win ugly, these Pistons continue to feel worth the sleep sacrifice.
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Info gathered from team reports, pressers & trusted media outlets — the way we always do it at Mitten Sports Talk.
