Cade Cunningham scored 29 points, including 13 in the fourth quarter, to lead the Detroit Pistons to a 122-116 comeback win over the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday night at Little Caesars Arena. Cunningham also added nine assists, including three in the final frame, orchestrating Detroit’s late surge.
Jalen Duren contributed 18 points and eight rebounds, helping the Pistons recover after a slow third quarter that saw them score only 19 points. Detroit overcame 22 points off turnovers, a notable increase from their season-long average of 15 points per game from mistakes.
Portland was paced by Deni Avdija, who finished with 35 points, while Jerami Grant added 29 and Shaedon Sharpe had 28. The Blazers led 85-84 entering the fourth, with Avdija scoring 29 points in the first three quarters, keeping Portland within striking distance.
Detroit took a 112-110 lead on Cunningham’s steal and layup with 2:22 remaining, and Duncan Robinson’s five points in the next two possessions helped secure a seven-point cushion. The Pistons finished with balanced contributions, including Tobias Harris (10 points), Ausar Thompson (15), and Duncan Robinson (14).
Cunningham’s late scoring display highlighted Detroit’s resilience, particularly with the team going 4-3 over its last seven games despite allowing more points off turnovers. The Pistons have now won 18 of 23 this season, maintaining their position among the Eastern Conference’s top teams.
Portland’s supporting cast struggled to match Detroit’s late intensity. Jerami Grant, Sharpe, and Avdija accounted for 92 of the Blazers’ 116 points, while the rest of the roster contributed just 24, underscoring the team’s need for greater depth in close games.
Detroit will host Milwaukee on Saturday night, looking to extend its strong home performance, while Portland travels to Memphis on Sunday aiming to snap a two-game skid.
