Detroit Pistons triumph over New York Knicks 106-103 in Game 5, keeping their hopes alive in the opening-round playoff series.
HEY THERE! The Pistons' squad that transformed a pitiful 14-win team into a postseason powerhouse refused to part ways in the summer. Instead, they headed back to scrubby ol' Detroit, potentially hitting the Big Apple again after that.
Cade Cunningham, the 24-point-scoring force, also tallied eight rebounds and eight assists, leading the Pistons to notch a 106-103 victory over the Knicks in Game 5. This win kept the Pistons alive in their first playoff run since 2019, shattering records in the process.
On the morning of the showdown, players scoffed at any hint of pressure during the shootaround, insisting they were no strangers to having their backs against the wall - and they seemed to genuinely enjoy being around each other, desperate to keep their battle-hardened bond intact.
Ausar Thompson added 22 points, while Tobias Harris earned 17, propelling the Pistons towards a fighting chance at Thursday's Game 6 at home. If they triumph there, the matchup would return to Madison Square Garden for Game 7.
However, the Pistons have faced a disheartening run of nine straight home losses, dating back to 2008.
Despite the daunting statistic, Detroit revealed a surprising comfort in New York, where they recorded a 2-0 record against the Knicks in the regular season - and currently stand at 2-1 in this thrilling series.
As expected, the Pistons remain hopeful, with Cunningham issuing a confident assurance: "We'll be back."
OG Anunoby netted 19 points, while Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges each rang up 17. But Jalen Brunson struggled, scoring just 16 points on a dismal 4-for-16 attempt.
"We dug our own hole early," sighed Towns, as the Knicks battled valiantly to recover but continually fell behind.
The game remained tied at 95, before a series of baskets from Jalen Duren and Cunningham stretched the lead to six points. The matchup took an unexpected twist as Brunson and Josh Hart both exited the fray due to injuries, extending play without a halt. Eventually, they returned with just 27 seconds remaining – too little, too late.
Brunson, who had scored 30 or more points in every game up until this point, failed to reach that threshold in this contest. The Knicks desperately tried to claim the series at home, but ultimately found themselves headed to Detroit for Game 7. There, they had managed two earlier victories (Games 3 and 4).
Duren totaled nine points, 14 rebounds, and six assists.
REFERENCES:
- https://our website/hub/nba
- Detroit Pistons: A new chapter in a long-standing NBA history book - Sports News
- Cade Cunningham's striking growth - Detroit Free Press
TELL ME MORE ABOUT CADE CUNNINGHAM:Cade Cunningham is the gifted guard who brought the Detroit Pistons back to life. Having been drafted as the first overall pick in the 2021 Draft, Cunningham spearheaded Detroit's astonishing turnaround, averaging a remarkable 26.1 points, 9.1 assists, and 6.1 rebounds per game during the regular season.
In the postseason, the young player demonstrated his worth, tallying 25.0 points, 8.7 assists, and 8.3 rebounds throughout six games, including a pivotal Game 2 performance where he scored 33 points and hauled in a whopping 12 boards. This victory snapped a dismal franchise-record 15 consecutive postseason losses.
The Detroit Pistons' resurgence, led by Cade Cunningham's impressive 25-point scoring, 8-rebound, and 8-assist display, has propelled them to compete in the NBA. In the ongoing playoff series against the Knicks, Cunningham's performance in Game 5 contributed to the Pistons' 106-103 victory, extending their postseason run beyond 2019. Interestingly, the Pistons have shown unexpected comfort in New York, having a 2-0 record against the Knicks in the regular season and a current 2-1 advantage in this series. [https://our website/hub/nba] [Detroit Pistons: A new chapter in a long-standing NBA history book - Sports News] [Cade Cunningham's striking growth - Detroit Free Press]
