AUSTIN, Texas — Cade Cunningham delivered a stellar performance with 25 points and 12 assists, leading the Detroit Pistons to a 125-110 victory over the San Antonio Spurs, marking their fifth consecutive win on Friday night.
Cunningham was instrumental in a significant 19-0 run for the Pistons, contributing seven points during this surge that began in the closing minute of the first half and continued into the third quarter.
In addition to Cunningham, Jalen Duren showcased his skills by scoring 21 points and grabbing 15 rebounds, while Tobias Harris added 22 points to the scoreboard. Malik Beasley also made a noticeable impact with 16 points, including four 3-pointers, bringing his total to 29 made threes over his last five games.
On the Spurs’ side, Keldon Johnson led the team with 28 points and De’Aaron Fox followed closely with 27 points. Unfortunately for San Antonio, they had just learned on Thursday that their star player, Victor Wembanyama, would miss the remainder of the season due to a blood clot in his right shoulder. The Spurs split their back-to-back games held in Austin, a city they have been nurturing as part of their regional fan base.
Key highlights from the game included the Pistons dominating the boards, out-rebounding the Spurs 52-33, which included 19 offensive rebounds that resulted in 21 second-chance points. Meanwhile, San Antonio experienced a moment of success with a 10-0 run, giving them a 10-point lead with three minutes left in the first half, bolstered by Fox’s 17 points and Johnson’s 13 in that period, as the duo combined to make 13 of 19 shots.
A crucial moment in the match came when the Pistons executed a 19-0 run that featured three 3-pointers and four layups or dunks, flipping a 62-57 deficit into a commanding 76-62 lead, showcasing both their adept long-range shooting and their ability to finish inside.
Statistically, the Pistons managed to outscore the Spurs 62-58 in the paint, an impressive feat that indicates their dominance inside, marking the twelfth consecutive game where they either outperformed or matched their opponent in this category.
In their upcoming matchups, the Pistons will host the Atlanta Hawks on Sunday night, while the Spurs are set to visit the New Orleans Pelicans.
