Pistons at Knicks final score: Cade puts on a show at MSG

Cade Cunningham owns Madison Square The Garden

The last time the Detroit Pistons played the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden, Cade Cunningham went off for a 15-assist triple-double in a 120-111 victory. In that game, the Knicks were missing sharpshooting center Karl-Anthony Towns. Well, KAT played tonight and scored 26 points. Every Knicks starter played big minutes tonight, but it was no match for Cunningham and his 36 points as Cade again led Detroit to a 124-119 victory in New York.

Detroit was getting its points early from the fast break as they were turning defense into offense to start the game, and it felt like the Knicks had to match the pace of the Pistons. New York was turning it over, or their shots were being affected by Beef Stew at the rim, and Detroit’s offense was running seamlessly. If it wasn’t a fastbreak bucket, they were attacking mismatches in the halfcourt, or Malik Beasley was hitting a three, and it led a 37-26 lead after the first. After the impact they had on both sides of the ball, it might’ve been one of the best quarters of basketball Detroit played so far this season.

After having one turnover in the first quarter, Detroit had three in the first few minutes, which allowed New York to get the lead back after a 16-2 Knicks run that concluded with Cade picking up his third foul on a Mikal Bridges three-point shot. The Knicks took a 63-59 halftime lead as they flipped the script on their first-quarter performance. Unfortunately, Detroit did the same, as they were outscored 37-22 in the second.

Cade ended up with a fourth foul before halftime after shooting 3-for-10 for seven points. Malik Beasley led Detroit with 12 points behind four first-quarter threes. Ausar Thompson had nine points and hit another three while Ron Holland was playing more tough defense – the glimpses continue to be there for both of these young wings.

Brunson and Towns led the way for the Knicks. Brunson had 17 points on 11 shots to go with five assists, while KAT had 16 points. New York shot 49% from the field and 47% from deep.

Cade began the second half on fire as he had all of the Pistons’ first 11 points in three minutes. Thibs had to call a timeout with seven minutes left in the third after Detroit took the lead with a 19-11 run. Cunningham had an incredible quarter, scoring 18 points while playing with four fouls. Detroit took a 95-90 lead heading into the fourth.

Cade continued his strong second half with five quick points before being subbed out with 7:27 in the game while Detroit had a 105-101 lead. A Ron Holland layup over OG Anunoby, a Sasser three-pointer, and a Jalen Duren dunk extended the lead by one for Detroit as Cade sat on the bench.

Jalen Brunson was able to draw a sixth foul on Jalen Duren with 4:07 left, and he made the and-one free throw to bring New York’s deficit to two. Both teams traded some tough buckets as Cade had two All-NBA-type finishes after beating OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges to the rim.

Bridges hit a three with 1:26 left, and Detroit had a 118-117 lead, but Malik Beasley decided to put the game away. Tim Hardaway Jr found Beasley for back-to-back three-pointers with the final one putting the Pistons up five with six seconds left. Look at the swagger Beasley has brought to this team!

Cade had 29 second-half points to finish with 36 for the game. He shot 52% from the field and 4-for-8 from deep as he continues to show why he should be an All-Star this year. Malik Beasley added 22 points, including six threes. Malik may not be an All-Star, but he continues to show why he was the best free agency signing for any team this past summer.

Brunson, Bridges, and Towns combined for 84 of the Knicks’ 119 points. New York shot 50% from the field and 41% from three but finished with 16 turnovers to the Pistons’ 11.

These next three weeks may help guide Trajan Langdon on which direction to head at the trade deadline (Feb. 6) as Detroit has some tough opponents:

• 1/16 – vs Pacers
• 1/18 – vs Suns
• 1/20 – at Rockets
• 1/22 – at Hawks
• 1/25 – at Orlando
• 1/27 – at Cleveland
• 1/29 – at Pacers
• 1/31 – vs Mavericks

But if the Pistons decide to play like they did tonight over the next few weeks, look out.