Cade Cunningham stars early and Tim Hardaway stars late
Early in the first half, the Detroit Pistons looked like they wanted to do anything other than play competitive basketball. Lazy offense and inattentive defense allowed the visiting Portland Trail Blazers to build a 22-point lead with 9:04 remaining in the second quarter.
But the Pistons were able to complete a huge comeback, 118-115. they did it behind Cade Cunningham’s 32 points and with help from Detroit’s role players. As has been a trend during Detroit’s streak of seven wins in eight games, it seems like a new difference-maker every night.
Tonight, it was Tim Hardaway Jr. who recovered from an awful first half to put his stamp on the game in the second. He finished with 26 points and was 6-of-9 from deep. But Hardaway wasn’t the only key contributor. Jalen Duren, who joined Hardaway as probably the most defensive-deficient players in the first half, really turned things around in the third quarter. He played with energy, he played under control, he took advantage of his opportunities, and he finished with 14 points and 12 rebounds. No points were bigger than the putback dunk with 37 seconds left to keep it a two-possession game.
The victory was Detroit’s fourth in a row and brought Pistons to .500 this late in the season for the first time since 2018. the franchise hadn’t won four consecutive games since March of 2019.
Perhaps now is a great time to talk about Malik Beasley, who is most symbolic of Detroit’s comeback and of their ability to not get down and keep their composure and confidence.
Beasley was having an awful game. He was 0-of-9 from the floor and not many of his misses were particularly close. The score was 111-110 Detroit after an Anfernee Simons layup with 1:59 to play.
At this point, the teams were trading baskets, and Detroit could not build up a lead larger than three points.
The Pistons had the ball with a minute to play, and Portland was trapping Cade. Cunningham swung it to Tobias Harris, who started to drive into the lane. Blazers big man Donovan Clingan sealed off the paint, and instead of opting for a difficult finish, Harris kicked it out to the open Beasley.
With no hesitation, Beasley hoisted his 10th shot. It was his first make — a 3-pointer that gave the Pistons a four-point lead and the cushion needed to get the victory.
At one point, the Pistons went on a 40-17 run, and that was largely behind some crucial early baskets from Tobias Harris (11 points in first quarter, 17 for the game) and Cunningham. When the Pistons took their first lead of the second half, Cunningham had 24 points and six assists. He finished with 32 points, nine assists, and six rebounds.
Simone Fontecchio, playing in his first game since missing three games, was one of his better showings this season. He finished with 10 points and six rebounds, including a pair of key threes and several hustle plays.
It’s also worth noting that when the Pistons were at their absolute lowest, JB Bickerstaff turned to Wendell Moore, Paul Reed, and Ron Holland to provide a jolt of energy. Holland might be the living embodiment of energy. He never takes a play off or a defensive possession for granted. He committed three fouls in about 45 seconds of the second quarter, but, honestly, it was exactly what the Pistons needed.
This team is finding ways to win, and everyone is doing their part.