Detroit Pistons head coach J.B. Bickerstaff praised his team’s composure after surviving a late rally to beat the Portland Trail Blazers 110-102 on Monday. “It was discipline on our part…we’ve got to do a better job of that. But again, give our guys a ton of credit down the stretch. So many guys made so many plays for us,” he said.
Bickerstaff highlighted Jalen Duren’s dominant interior performance, finishing with 26 points and 10 rebounds. “He’s a phenomenal talent…teams want to put their five on him, and he’s learning how to make them pay,” the coach said.
The Pistons’ bench contributions also drew praise, particularly from Tobias Harris and Ausar Thompson. “Tobias is poised out there helping with the steals, the big offensive boards. Woo on the defensive end…our depth and collective effort helped us close that game out,” Bickerstaff noted.
Cade Cunningham’s early fourth-quarter foul-out briefly shifted momentum to Portland. “He’s done so much tonight to help get us to that lead…again, it’s our responsibility, he and I as leaders of this team to be more disciplined down the stretch,” Bickerstaff explained.
Detroit excelled in the possession battle, a key factor in their victory. “Our guys compete at a high level…one of our goals is to win the possession game. Offensive rebounding, defensive rebounds, forcing turnovers…when you do that, you give yourself a really good chance to win,” Bickerstaff said.
The coach also reflected on JI’s first month back from injury, praising his development. “He’s coming along…gaining his confidence, understanding where he fits, how to pick his spots. We feel like he’s progressing well and we expect the best still to come,” Bickerstaff said.
Duren’s physical play in the paint and Thompson’s activity on the glass were critical during Detroit’s closing 11-2 run. Bickerstaff emphasized the team’s focus on both ends of the floor despite Portland briefly taking a one-point lead.
With the win, the Pistons improved to 23-6 and will continue their West Coast swing in Sacramento on Tuesday, while Portland hosts the Orlando Magic. Bickerstaff lauded the team’s collective effort as a blueprint for closing out tight games.
