Duncan Robinson scored 19 points as the Detroit Pistons opened the second round with a 111-101 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday at Little Caesars Arena. After the game, he detailed how the team’s depth and defensive execution shaped the outcome and late-game control.
He expanded on the team’s identity built through the season. “Yeah, it’s huge. That’s been our identity all year, just getting energy and those sort of plays from basically one through 11, 12, however many we play,” Robinson said. He emphasized the importance of role consistency and collective impact rather than individual scoring focus.
Robinson also highlighted the bench impact, especially from Ron Holland. “I thought Ron was awesome. Doing what he did, even just in a short amount of time to come in and do that after maybe things not going his way in that first series, for a young player to come in and do that, I have the utmost respect for that,” he said.
On his own offensive role as a shooter, Robinson described the pressure and clarity that comes with it. “Yeah, I’m pretty comfortable playing that role. I played it much of my life, definitely all of my NBA career. So it’s just part of what comes with the territory,” he said. He added, “This is what you live for, this time of year.”
He also reflected on shooting consistency in high-pressure playoff settings. “It’s not always going to be perfect… I got to keep shooting them,” Robinson said, noting continued encouragement from teammates and staff to stay aggressive.
Robinson credited Jalen Duren for the physical tone-setting impact. “I thought he was awesome. People obviously want to get caught up in that last line of a box score with him of points. He does so much for us,” he said, adding that his rebounding and defensive activity shifted momentum throughout stretches of the game.
On Duren’s development, Robinson said, “I really thought that that series was a microcosm of how effective he can be when he just continues to stay at it… it’s more so just the consistency of what he does on a night to night basis.”
He also praised Cade Cunningham’s playmaking balance. “He has a skill that’s unique, a feel and a rhythm and a read that is just hard to teach,” Robinson said, highlighting Cunningham’s ability to switch between scoring and passing.
Robinson closed by noting his willingness to attack the rim when defenses overplay the three-point line, adding that expanding his offensive game has been a long-term focus throughout his NBA career.
