Jaden Ivey, Isaiah Stewart help Pistons win Summer League opener

Las Vegas — In the leadup to the Pistons’ opener in Summer League late Thursday night, there was as much interest in the starting lineup as the outcome of the game.

Fans were holding out hope the young core players, including Cade Cunningham and Saddiq Bey, would be in uniform and showing a glimpse of what the regular-season starters could look like for next season.

It didn’t happen.

But Pistons rookies Jaden Ivey and Jalen Duren made their debuts, and they were joined in the starting lineup by Killian Hayes, Isaiah Stewart and Isaiah Livers. That was more than enough firepower to help the Pistons take an 81-78 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday morning at Thomas & Mack Center.

Ivey finished with 20 points, six rebounds and six assists, Stewart 13 points and nine rebounds and Duren nine points and two blocks.

It wasn't always smooth for Ivey in finding the right rhythm, but he found some smooth sailing in the second half, when he was able to get out in transition and finish with a couple of dunks. That athleticism is one of the strengths of his game and why he was the No. 5 overall pick. 

"I think once he gets out in the open floor, that's when you kind of see his game at its best. You see that extra burst that he has and he gets to the rim," Pistons Summer League coach Jordan Brink said. "He had a big lay-up down the stretch. I think getting out in the open floor brings his confidence up and it was nice to see him make two threes, as well.

"You kind of saw a little bit of what he can bring and he kind of does a little bit of everything. He's a menace on the ball, as well."

More: Pistons observations: Stewart stretches floor, explosive Ivey shines in summer opener

Ivey started the game with a scintillating alley-oop to Duren that gave a glimpse of what the rookie duo can do. They seemed to have a good rhythm in working together, though Duren was on a minutes restriction, limiting him to only 12 minutes. 

"Jalen had a hell of a game. He had limited minutes, so the minutes he was out there, he was amazing. I can't even imagine a full game," Ivey said. "All of our guys just played a great game. We kind of let them back in the game; we should have closed it out better. That's what it's going to take — you've gotta close out the tough games, and we did that." 

In a slow-moving game that started after midnight Eastern Time, the Pistons finished with a flurry, with back-to-back 3-pointers by Stewart pushing the lead to five in the final two minutes.

The Blazers answered with two free throws and a drive by Brandon Williams (13 points, four rebounds and four assists) to get back within one with 1:11 remaining.

Ivey took over down the stretch, making two free throws to push the lead to three with 58.5 seconds left, and then capitalizing off a Blazers miss to score on a driving lay-in, for an 80-75 lead with 31.4 seconds remaining.

Early on, the Pistons led by 13 points in the second quarter, but the Blazers chipped away at the lead in the middle quarters and opened the fourth quarter with a 61-57 deficit. After a pair of baskets, Portland tied it at 61 on a jumper by Jabari Walker.

Saben Lee (13 points) tied it with a pair of free throws and Braxton Key (11 points, seven rebounds) hit a 3-pointer to push the lead to five.

Rod.Beard@detroitnews.com

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