MIAMI — Cade Cunningham confidently asserted that he called his decisive shot, albeit quietly.
“I might have whispered it,” he mentioned. “I don’t think anybody heard that, though.”
Regardless, what mattered was the visible proof of their success. The Detroit Pistons, once the underdogs of last season with a daunting 28-game losing streak, are now catching eyes across the NBA. This season, their performance suggests not only a likely playoff appearance but also a strong chance at securing home-court advantage in the first round.
Cunningham’s pivotal banked-in 3-pointer, executed with merely 0.6 seconds on the clock, sealed the Pistons’ 116-113 triumph over the struggling Miami Heat on Wednesday night. The shot was launched with Miami’s Bam Adebayo, acknowledged as their premier defensive player, attempting to obstruct.
“Any closer,” Adebayo remarked afterward, “and I’d have fouled him.”
Cunningham delivered a remarkable 25-point, 12-rebound, 11-assist performance. This season marks his first All-Star appearance, likely earning him a place on some All-NBA ballots next month. Having participated in 65 games this season — surpassing his previous record and meeting the NBA’s criteria for end-of-season accolades — he’s making significant waves.
Ranking 10th in league scoring with an average of 25.6 points per game, third in assists with 9.3 per game, and tied for third in triple-doubles with nine, Cunningham is the main catalyst propelling Detroit — currently standing at 39-31 — alongside Indiana and Milwaukee in competition for a top-four Eastern Conference position.
“That was awesome,” expressed Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff after the victory.
His admiration was for both the game and particularly Cunningham’s critical shot.
“He’s got the size, he’s got the skill,” Bickerstaff said. “We just let him take charge. Just hand him the ball, clear the space, and let him handle it. Cade’s going to make his move — and he executed perfectly. We instructed him to close the game, and he delivered brilliantly.”
In a parallel scenario, Cunningham came close with a similar attempt in Miami during the season opener but fell short. The Pistons initially managed a 2-1 record before a calamitous 28-loss streak ensued.
This time, however, Cunningham’s shot found its mark. The losing woes are now a distant memory for Detroit.
“As soon as Coach approached with the strategy, I was already tuned into his plan,” Cunningham noted appreciatively. “It’s rewarding to have that level of trust.”