NBA: Cade Cunningham looks to remain on roll as Pistons face Blazers

Cade Cunningham will look to build on his third triple-double of the season when the Detroit Pistons visit the Portland Trail Blazers on Monday night.

Cunningham recorded 22 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists in Saturday’s 112-86 rout of the visiting Charlotte Hornets. The fifth-year guard continues to anchor Detroit’s success and appears to be a virtual lock for his second consecutive All-Star selection. He is averaging 27.0 points, 9.2 assists, and 6.4 rebounds through 25 games this season.

“He can settle the game down so many different ways offensively, getting to a spot, creating for others,” Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. “I thought he did a great job on defensive boards, which also helps us get out in transition when the ball’s in his hand to initiate.”

Cunningham has scored at least 20 points in five of his past six games. During that stretch, he has reached double figures in assists three times and rebounds twice.

The run began with a 122-116 home victory over the Trail Blazers on Dec. 5. Cunningham posted 29 points, nine assists, and three steals as Detroit defeated Portland for the fourth straight time. Deni Avdija scored 35 points for the Trail Blazers in that contest, while Jerami Grant added 29 and Shaedon Sharpe contributed 28 points off the bench.

Detroit enters the matchup riding momentum after winning seven of its past nine games. The Pistons have emerged as one of the league’s top teams, compiling a 22-6 record this season.

Jalen Duren tallied 19 points and 11 rebounds against Charlotte, while Tobias Harris scored 16 points. Duncan Robinson connected on four 3-pointers to finish with 15 points, and Ausar Thompson added 14.

The Pistons were particularly strong on defense, limiting the Hornets to just 14 points in the fourth quarter and holding them to 31.5 percent shooting for the game.

“We were flying around making multiple efforts,” Robinson said. “I thought we had stretches where we were really good from an effort and execution standpoint.”

Portland enters the game on a three-game winning streak, which includes a road victory over the Golden State Warriors and a home-and-home sweep of the Sacramento Kings.

The Trail Blazers survived a late comeback attempt by Sacramento in a 134-133 overtime win Thursday before tightening up defensively in a 98-93 victory two nights later. Interim coach Tiago Splitter credited big men Robert Williams III and rookie Donovan Clingan for the improved defensive effort.

“Our defense was a step up,” Splitter said. “Guys were more active. I think Rob and D.C. did a great job at the rim.”

Clingan recorded 14 points and 14 rebounds, while Williams added 10 points and nine rebounds in 18 minutes off the bench. Williams has played in just 18 games this season due to knee issues, but Splitter said his presence has made a noticeable impact.

“He’s a big factor for us coming off the bench,” Splitter said. “He changes the game defensively. He can switch, protect the rim, and block shots with great timing.”

Avdija contributed 24 points, 11 assists, and seven rebounds in Saturday’s win, while Grant sat out with Achilles soreness. -Field Level Media/Reuters