Tobias Harris scores 20 in return to lineup
When a team plays nearly the entire second half in survival mode, it does not typically end with that team surviving. The Pistons, somehow, lived to see the end of a hard-fought game, beating the Portland Trail Blazers 119-112.
The Pistons led by as many as 18 with 4:30 remaining in the third quarter, but spent every second after that slowly bleeding away that margin. It eventually became a one-possession game with 2:24 remaining.
The Blazers had several opportunities to tie the game but could never get a shot to go down. Sometimes, it is better to be lucky than to be good.
Detroit’s biggest issues were a huge free-throw disparity in the second half (what else is new) and carelessness with the ball (what else is new).
Cade Cunningham led the Pistons with 28 points, but had more turnovers (8) than assists (5).
When Detroit needed to settle down, they turned to their veteran ball handlers — Tobias Harris and Dennis Schroder.
Harris missed the last two, and if he had missed tonight, the Pistons likely would have lost. He scored 20 points on an efficient 9-of-12 shooting, added nine rebounds and had zero turnovers.
Schroder came on late in the fourth when it was clear that Cade Cunningham and shooters couldn’t successfully navigate Portland’s aggressive double-teaming of Cunningham.
Schroder (12 points) hit a huge basket late in the fourth to push the lead to five points. Cunningham, Schroder, and Harris were the only three Pistons to score in the final 6:28 of the game.
Jalen Duren added 18 points and 12 rebounds for the Pistons. The Blazers were led by Anfernee Simons’ 34 points. Former Piston added 25 points.
Tonight’s win ends a brief two-game road losing streak for the Pistons. Detroit hasn’t lost three in a row since late January.
Detroit now returns home for three straight, including two straight against the Washington Wizards .