In a recent overtime victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers , the Detroit Pistons proved they can win tough games without star guard Cade Cunningham . When he fouled out late in the fourth quarter , the rest of the squad kept going, pulling off the narrow victory over a strong Cavs team. It was a major win for the Pistons as they are likely to meet the Cavaliers in the playoffs.
Pistons Prove They Can Win Big Games Without Cade Cunningham
Detroits’ top point guard and two-time All-Star has proven to be integral to the revival and success of the franchise. After the Pistons brought head coach J.B. Bickerstaff in, Cunningham really seemed to find his rhythm on the court. While he had a tough couple of seasons in the Motor City, a new bench boss made all the difference in the world.
The combination of Bickerstaff’s coaching, Cunningham’s on-court leadership , and some smart roster changes by the front office has turned the Pistons into a legit contender. Keep in mind, this is the franchise that had a 28-game losing streak only two seasons ago.
That doesn’t mean everything is perfect, though. Isaiah Stewart , otherwise known as “Beef Stew,” is wrapping up a seven-game suspension for leaving the bench to fight the Charlotte Hornets in February. His size and power are frequently a difference-maker for the Pistons, particularly on defense. Even worse, the Pistons had to take on the Cavaliers without Cunningham on the floor.
No Cade Cunningham, No Problem
Injuries have been the story of the season for most teams, with franchises like the Portland Trail Blazers going the whole campaign without top stars like Damian Lillard . That wasn’t the case when the Pistons took on the Cavaliers on Friday. They walked into the game with Cade Cunningham at the helm. They just didn’t finish the game with him there.
Cunningham fouling out is a tough way for a night to end for any player, but still better than an injury that could potentially end a season right before the playoffs (knock on wood).
When Cunningham exited in the fourth quarter, the score was 107-103 in favor of the Cavs. Detroit continued the fight, sending the game to overtime, and ultimately winning. What fans saw was a Pistons team that didn’t let the loss of their top player slow them down.
What This Means for the Pistons’ Immediate Future
As it stands right now, the Pistons have a fairly tight grip on the top spot in the Eastern Conference. The Cavaliers are currently sitting in fourth and are likely bound for the Playoffs. While there are no guarantees of what’s going to happen, there’s a very real chance that the Pistons and the Cavaliers will face each other in the postseason.
Keep in mind that Cleveland went into this game without Donovan Mitchell or James Harden , and that Jarrett Allen also fouled out, so they weren’t exactly at full strength. When the Cavs are at 100%, they are a more formidable team than their 37-24 record might seem to indicate. Knowing that Detroit has the depth to stand on business should make fans happy.
With this win, the Pistons proved they can triumph over tough opponents even with Cade Cunningham on the bench. That type of confidence will be even more important if Detroit has to take on stronger opponents like the Celtics, Knicks, Spurs, or Thunder. It could be the difference between another early playoff exit and their next NBA championship .
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