Isaiah Stewart played a pivotal role in the Detroit Pistons’ 122-116 home win over the Portland Trail Blazers, notching one of his best defensive performances of the season. The 24-year-old center had four blocks and a healthy plus-minus of +10 in 22 minutes of action.
Two of Stewart’s blocks came against Sidy Cissoko and Shaedon Sharpe, both of whom attempted to posterize him but to no avail. After the game, Detroit Pistons head coach JB Bickerstaff gave Stewart his flowers.
“He is the best defensive center in the league, and it is not even close,” Bickerstaff said of Stewart via The Detroit News’ Coty M. Davis. “I think it’s time for everybody who watches basketball to recognize it. It is not just something we see here in Detroit. He is the best defensive big in the game.”
“I mean, he’s always been big time,” Cade Cunningham added. “Playing against him in high school, he’s a presence down there. Just his versatility and stuff… His feel for the game and IQ is super slept on, especially on that side of the ball.”
Detroit Pistons News: Duncan Robinson makes clutch plays in injury return
The Detroit Pistons received a massive boost from Duncan Robinson, who hit several clutch shots down the stretch that gave them the edge over the Portland Trail Blazers. He hit his third three-point field goal with 2:35 left to tie the game at 110-110. And a few possessions later, he converted a corner triple with 1:48 left to make it a five-point game.
In his first game back from a right ankle sprain, the 31-year-old sharpshooter finished with 14 points (eight in the final period), seven rebounds, two steals, and four three-pointers in 34 minutes of action.
“My mindset is to always be aggressive, and my teammates found me in good spots,” Robinson said. “I am always trying to find the open space and let it fly.”
