Duncan

Robinson

Robinson, who logged 20 minutes in Game 6 after sitting out Game 5 with a sore lower back, is good to go for Sunday’s series decider. He’ll remain in a reserve role for Game 7, with Daniss Jenkins making his third consecutive start alongside Cade Cunningham.

After sitting out Game 5 with a sore lower back, Robinson played 20 minutes off the bench in Game 6. That should remain the case for Sunday’s series decider, with Daniss Jenkins sticking in the starting lineup.

Despite Duncan Robinson returning to action after missing Game 5 due to a sore lower back, Pistons head coach JB Bickerstaff stuck with Jenkins in the starting lineup. The presence of a second playmaker in the lineup paid dividends, with Jenkins contributing 15 points and three assists. Robinson was also productive, contributing 14 points, two rebounds, two assists and four three-pointers in 20 minutes off the bench. Given how well things worked out for Detroit in Game 6, it would be unsurprising if Jenkins got another start in Game 7.

After sitting out Game 5, Robinson is good to go for Friday’s potential series decider. However, his return will not push Daniss Jenkins to the bench. Robinson will be tasked with providing added spacing off the bench.

Robinson’s sore lower back kept him out of Wednesday’s overtime defeat, with the Pistons now facing elimination on Friday. Daniss Jenkins was productive as the replacement in the starting lineup, but his promotion left the Pistons with one less scoring option off the bench. He’ll head back to the bench if Robinson plays.

A massive blow for the Pistons. Robinson was initially listed as questionable with lower back soreness, but after participating in shootaround Wednesday, his absence for Game 5 comes as somewhat of a surprise. Without Robinson, Caris LeVert will take on added importance and potentially even move into the starting lineup after scoring 24 points in Game 4 on Monday.

Robinson, who attempted just two shots in Monday’s Game 4 defeat, is dealing with lower back soreness. Given the Pistons’ spacing issues with him in the lineup, they can’t afford to play Game 5 without one of their best shooters. If Robinson is limited or can’t play, Caris LeVert’s role takes on added importance.

Robinson has provided the Pistons with consistent perimeter shooting in their second-round series, having knocked down 14 of his 24 three-point attempts through three games. In Game 3, he provided welcome bonuses in the form of four assists and five steals, with the latter number being a playoff career-high. While Robinson may not be a priority for the Cavaliers defensively, they certainly understand the need to account for his presence in the Pistons’ lineup. Detroit will look to extend its series lead with a win in Game 4 on Monday.

Like several Pistons, Robinson built his offensive production little by little on Thursday. He made at least one three-pointer in every quarter and never tallied more than six points in any period. Yet, the veteran sharpshooter finished as Detroit’s third leading scorer on the evening and totaled as many three-pointers in Game 2 as he did in Game 1. Robinson has found his rhythm early on in the series and will hope to bring it to Cleveland, where the series will flip for Game 3.

Robinson’s production mostly came in the second half of Tuesday’s win. His three triples after halftime were huge in helping the Pistons keep the Cavaliers at enough of a distance after having built a lead. He came up with a couple of steals but didn’t contribute much in other areas, as expected for the three-point specialist. Robinson has now made multiple threes in all but one of Detroit’s eight playoff games thus far.