As Detroit picked up its first victory of the regular season on the road in Houston last night, several positive aspects for the Pistons began to develop mid-game, including a more proper introduction from Duncan Robinson on what he offers as a player. 

Last night, Robinson logged 17 points, three rebounds, three blocks and two assists in Detroit’s 115-111 victory over the Rockets, and the stellar performance was a stark contrast to Robinson’s 32-minute, two-point outing against Chicago on Wednesday. 

“The other night coming out like that, I was pretty disappointed,” Robinson said after Friday’s win over the Rockets. “So, you know, the priority was to come back and be who I am. I didn't recognize that person on Wednesday night. So, just to come out and be aggressive, do what I've been doing, trying to impact winning. So, it was good to get this one. This is a big one for us.”

Robinson hit a pair of three-pointers in the first half against Houston last night that helped right the ship for the veteran sharp-shooter, and the new member of the Pistons began to settle in from that point on, ending the game with four triples to his credit.

“You know, none of this stuff is going to happen overnight,” Pistons head coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. “Chemistry takes time to build. And you know, the only thing that slowed him down [against Houston] was my dumb ass taking him out of the game. But he knows how to play, he knows how to find his shots and his teammates are learning how to get him the ball when he's open.”

Now, Robinson delivered a performance that’s more becoming of his reputation, but it took place amid a contest that was much more physical and emotional than the average regular season game. That’s where Robinson’s experience comes into play as the eight-year pro can lean on some of the experiences he’s had in contentious environments before.

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“We've been talking about just trying to control that chaos since the first meeting we've had as a group,” Robinson said. “The way we play with physicality and intensity, it's going to be some games that sort of flare up like that. I thought we showed a lot of resolve, a lot of maturity, to dial it back in and find a way to win.”

Robinson’s ability to stay composed when games become temperamental is a quality that paid off in spades against Houston on Friday night. Multiple technical fouls were assessed during the game, and Detroit center Jalen Duren was even ejected after picking up a Flagrant 2 foul. So, Detroit’s victory certainly took place in a hostile environment on the road last night, but Robinson helped the squad stay the course. 

“I've seen a lot and [I’m] just trying to share that with them in little pockets,” Robinson said. “NBA games are a lot about winning skirmishes and how many skirmishes you can win. Something that I've recognized in my time, and that there's always these four or five, six-minute stretches, and if you can win more than the other team, then obviously you got a good chance to win the game. So, trying to capitalize on little moments in the quarters, big pivotal stretches where we’ve got certain groups in or they got certain groups in, just trying to communicate what I see to the group but then also to the individual.”

The Pistons will have Saturday off before the team’s home opener against the Boston Celtics on Sunday, Oct. 26 at 3:30 pm at Little Caesar’s Arena in Detroit. 

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