Pistons Hold Off Late Nuggets Rally to Steal Road Win in Denver
The Detroit Pistons kicked off their West Coast road swing with a gutsy 109-107 win over the defending champion Denver Nuggets on Tuesday night, showing poise down the stretch in a game that tested their resolve.
Detroit built up a 16-point lead at one point, but as expected in Denver's house, that cushion didn’t last. Tim Hardaway Jr. caught fire late, drilling his fourth three-pointer of the night to trim the Pistons’ lead to just one with under a minute to play. It was the kind of moment that’s spelled doom for Detroit in the past - a young team on the road, momentum swinging hard the other way, altitude kicking in, and a seasoned opponent charging.
But this time, the Pistons didn’t blink.
On the next possession, Duncan Robinson - who had been ice-cold all night, starting 0-for-8 from the field - stepped up and buried his only bucket of the game. It was a clutch jumper that didn’t just stop the bleeding, it flipped the script. That shot gave Detroit the breathing room they needed to close it out.
Cade Cunningham once again played like the franchise cornerstone he’s been billed to be, finishing with 22 points and 11 assists. He was in full command of the offense, keeping the pace steady and finding teammates in rhythm.
Tobias Harris matched him with 22 points of his own and added eight boards, providing the kind of veteran presence this young roster leans on in tough environments. Jalen Duren chipped in with 14 points and eight rebounds, continuing to show why he’s one of the more promising young bigs in the league.
On the other side, Jamal Murray led Denver with 24 points and 10 assists, despite struggling from the field. His shot wasn’t falling consistently, but he stayed aggressive and did his best to keep the Nuggets within striking distance. Jonas Valančiūnas was a force inside, posting a monster double-double with 16 points and 16 rebounds, giving Detroit problems on the glass all night.
This wasn’t a flawless win for the Pistons - they let a big lead slip and had to survive a furious Nuggets rally - but it was the kind of performance that shows growth. They didn’t fold.
They made the plays when it mattered. And they did it in one of the toughest buildings in the NBA.
For a young team still trying to find its identity, that’s a statement.