The Portland Trail Blazers weren’t able to fully rev their engines and go fast during their lone trip through the Motor City Friday night. In a physical, foul-heavy game, the Detroit Pistons were the team eventually able to pull away for a 122-116 win.
Down by six with under five minutes to play, it looked like the Blazers might finally get out of the slow lane. They went on a quick 11-0 run behind five points from Shaedon Sharpe, a four-point play from Jerami Grant, and a Deni Avdija pull-up jumper.
But their 108-103 lead was short-lived as the Pistons finished the game on a 19-8 run to close out the game.
The Blazers fell to 9-14 with the loss, while the Eastern Conference-leading Pistons improved to 18-5.
Avdija. It’s always Avdija. He had 35 points on 9-16 shooting, 3-7 three-pointers, and 14-15 free throws to go along with 9 rebounds and 7 assists.
By the end of the season, this section may need to be renamed “Other Player of Note,” because we can’t simply sing Avdija’s praises after every game.
So let’s shout-out somebody playing a more modest role. Sidy Cissoko’s stat line of 8 points, 2 three-pointers made, 2 assists, and 2 steals doesn’t exactly jump off the page, but the rookie made big plays during key junctures in the game. On the defensive end, he held his own whether he was matched up against reigning Eastern Conference Player of the Month Cade Cunningham or much bigger players like Jalen Duren and Isaiah Stewart.
Cissoko finished a team-high +12 on the night in 22 minutes of action. Unfortunately, he fouled out with just over six minutes to play, and was unavailable for crunch time.
This game was mostly even all night long. Made free throws were about even (36-32 Detroit). Rebounds were even (54 apiece). The Pistons had a few more points in the paint (54-46). The Blazers offset that with a few more made three-pointers 12-10. The Blazers lost the turnover battle 17-13.
So here’s a rare stat. Three Blazers (Toumani Camara, Sidy Cissoko, and Kris Murray) fouled out of the game.
Sometimes, there are little plays throughout the game that have a big impact. In this one, the Blazers were sloppy to end quarters and it cost them.
Robert Williams III committed an ill-advised foul on Cunningham as he was attempting a desperation three-pointer with 0.5 seconds remaining in the second quarter. Cunningham converted all three.
Then, with ten seconds remaining in the third period, the Blazers were unable to successfully inbound the ball from the sideline, costing them an opportunity for the last shot of the quarter.
And when it really mattered, the Pistons ran away with the game late in the fourth as the Blazers struggled with turnovers, a shot clock violation, and several forced shots.
The Blazers continue their five-game road trip against the Memphis Grizzlies at 3:00 PM Pacific on Sunday.
