Cade Cunningham drops 18 assists as Pistons survive collapse against Heat

The Detroit Pistons were in control, collapsed, and nearly suffered one of their worst losses of the season. Thanks to a convincing performance from an experienced shooter, they were able to hold on.

The Pistons defeated the Miami Heat 125-124 in overtime after Tim Hardaway Jr. knocked down three three-pointers with 2:07 left in the final game. His third straight three-pointer gave the Pistons a 123-122 lead after the Heat used a 24-2 run in the fourth quarter to erase an 18-point deficit.

The Pistons led by 18 points early in the fourth period and took a 14-point lead on a 3-pointer from Malik Beasley with 5:39 left. But the Heat cut the deficit to one, 112-111, with 1:10 left in the game after a 13-0 run.

Cade Cunningham missed two free throws with 11.5 seconds left. The Pistons declined a foul on the other end and Tyler Herro hit a circus shot for a 3 while falling to the floor to tie the game at 114. Cunningham missed the potential game-winning 3 on the other side, and the Pistons were playing nearly nine minutes between field goals when the Heat took over.

The Heat extended their run to 24-2 in overtime and took a 122-114 lead on a layup by Michigan graduate Duncan Robinson. That’s when Hardaway Jr. knocked down his three-point trio and grabbed the Pistons’ draft field goal at 2:07. Hardaway turned the ball over on an inbounds pass with less than 10 seconds left, but Herro’s three-pointer at the buzzer missed the target.

Cunningham once again delivered an outstanding performance as a playmaker and achieved his sixth triple-double of the season with 20 points, 18 assists and 11 rebounds. His assist total set a new career high.

Tobias Harris missed the game with a sprained right thumb. He was replaced in the starting lineup by Ausar Thompson, who scored a season-high 19 points with eight rebounds and four steals. Harris was joined by Jaden Ivey (left knee soreness) before the opening tip and Isaiah Stewart (hyperextended left knee) in the second quarter.

Beasley, who ranked fifth in the NBA with 92 3-pointers made before the game, scored a season-high 28 points on 7-for-10 shooting from 3-point range. who knocked down 10 of his first 13 attempts from 3 and built a 15-point lead (52-37) midway through the second quarter.

It was also a busy night for the Pistons, with 13 players in the first half. The Heat scored 18 points off those turnovers and trailed by four points at halftime, despite the Pistons’ three-game barrage. However, the Pistons’ 9-0 run early in the second half kept them in control and extended their lead back to double digits. Cunningham had three assists in the period, giving him an early double-double with 11 assists and 10 points in about 20 minutes of play.

They committed just two turnovers in the third quarter after a sloppy first half, but stayed hot off three turnovers, giving them a 19-point lead (87-68) with 3:30 remaining in the quarter. The Pistons finished the night by going 20-40 overall from 3 and committing seven turnovers in the second half.

Paul Reed, who was released Saturday and re-signed by the Pistons two hours before Monday’s game, finished the game with six points in 12 minutes.

REVIEW:The Detroit Pistons are using the rare gap in the game plan to repair their ailing perimeter defense

Cunningham has his career as a playmaker behind him

The first overall pick of 2021 has improved in numerous areas in the first third of the season. One of his biggest leaps was as a passer. His 9.3 per game as of Monday ranked third in the NBA, behind only Trae Young and Nikola Jokic, and has now recorded double-digit assists in 12 of his last 16 games.

His 18-assist effort against the Heat came just two games after he set his career-high with 15 assists in a road win against the New York Knicks on December 7. He was a scorer in favor of leading his teammates. His approach helped them survive a night in which they were without two starters and, ultimately, their backup center and defensive anchor.

Cunningham provided plenty of assists without turning the ball over excessively. He had three turnovers in each of his last two games and committed four against Miami.

Thompson shines in his second start

He has been on a minutes restriction since returning due to blood clots, but Thompson has looked his usual self at times since his season debut last month. Monday was his seventh appearance of the season and his best game of the season.

Thompson exploded from the floor with two-handed balls and forced turnovers, dived for loose balls and even knocked down his only attempt from three balls. Two consecutive shots to open the second half – a powerful left-handed finish after a dished dunk from Cunningham – sparked a 16-5 run by the Pistons that allowed them to finally regain control of the game.

Monday was just the second time Thompson played at least 20 minutes. His minutes are still being managed, but he maximized every second he was on the field against the Heat.

Pistons lose Ivey and Stewart to injuries

Beasley was a surprise announcement as the starters were introduced after warmups. Ivey was not listed on the team’s injury report as of 6:30 p.m. and was initially listed as the starter shortly before the game began, meaning his absence was a last-minute decision.

It’s not clear what caused Ivey’s knee pain. He had already missed two games this season due to an ankle injury.

Stewart joined him and Harris on the injured list when he hyperextended his left knee after an awkward landing a few minutes into the second quarter. He limped, immediately went to the locker room and was ejected from the game before halftime. He hasn’t missed a game yet this season.

(MUST WATCH: Make The Pistons Pulse your favorite Detroit Pistons podcast, available wherever you listen to podcasts (Apple, Spotify) or watch live/on-demand on YouTube. )

Breaking News

Dellupodisabato

Cade Cunningham drops 18 assists as Pistons survive collapse against Heat

Leave a Reply Cancel reply