The Pistons' ratings weren't the highest when they showed up at Madison Square Garden. Despite a poor current dynamic (7 defeats in 9 matches), the Michigan players signed a reference victory on the floor of one of the most fit teams in the East (4 victories in a row), certainly deprived of Karl-Anthony Towns, hit in the knee.
A victory full of mastery like the performance delivered by the leader of the Pistons, Cade Cunningham. Targeted all evening by the New York defense, the Detroit leader made many good reads on the “pick-and-roll” to feed his teammates.
In the first period, he was more concerned with the “scoring” of his team, including a big pass as they approached the locker room. Embarked in a duel from a distance with Jalen Brunson, he was already 21 points with a 5/7 from distance and the Pistons enjoyed a comfortable lead (58-69).
No panic among the Pistons
The locals, who never led in this match, took advantage of the energy of their audience to close ranks in defense and sign a big run at the end of the third quarter (85-89). Mikal Bridges and an imperial OG Anunoby in this period came to give a helping hand to a struggling Jalen Brunson to finish.
Rather than giving in to panic, the visitors showed great maturity. At the start of the fourth quarter, Cade Cunningham took care of everything, signing a jumper then finding Jalen Duren dunk and Simone Fontecchio behind the arc.
Detroit went 14-2 in these first minutes to get back to safety (89-103). Josh Hart or Bridges tried to reignite the flame, Detroit was not really worried in the final minutes.
WHAT TO REMEMBER
– A first for Cade Cunningham. Author of his 5th triple-double of the year, the Pistons leader is comfortable in New York. Last season, he had two appearances with at least 30 points and 8 assists, but left with two defeats with his team. In fact, since the start of his career, he had never imposed himself (by being on the floor) in the den in the Knicks. It is now done.
– Surprising failure on free throws. Madison Square Garden rumbled a little seeing its favorites string together imperfect passages (1/2) in the fourth quarter. For the first time this year, the Knicks did not reach the 60% success mark. An astonishing failure for the best team in the league in terms of free throws this season (82%). And that weighs in a match where the locals were so far behind.
– Ancient legends in the spotlight. Walt Frazier, Pat Ewing, Latrell Sprewell… The New York club honored several of its most emblematic former players who attended the match during a half-time ceremony on the field.
once a Knick, always a Knick https://t.co/ic8RJ0Vs7P pic.twitter.com/6ibTjjNJqg
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) December 8, 2024
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How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Pts = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
