Pistons Vs Knicks — Cade Cunningham adds to MVP case with 42 points at Madison Square Garden
In a performance that bolstered his MVP credentials, Cade Cunningham scored 42 points, handed out 13 assists and grabbed eight rebounds as Detroit beat New York 126-111 in the latest pistons vs knicks meeting at Madison Square Garden.
Pistons roll to sweep at MSG
Detroit completed a regular-season sweep of the Knicks with its third lopsided win, finishing the three-game set with an average margin of victory of 28 points after previous New York losses by 31 and 38. The Pistons’ victory moved them to 41-13 and deepened the gap atop the Eastern Conference; the Knicks fell to 35-21.
Cunningham opened aggressively, finishing with 42 points on efficient shooting and adding two blocks, while Paul Reed, starting in the middle, contributed 18 points. Jalen Brunson led New York with 33 points, eight assists and six rebounds.
Pistons Vs Knicks: Cunningham’s control from start to finish
Cunningham’s night featured long scoring runs and decisive playmaking. He sparked a 21-8 Detroit run with three first-quarter 3-pointers and closed the first half with eight points and an assist that pushed the lead to 58-48. Early in the third, he scored 11 straight points for Detroit and capped the stretch by setting up teammates with consecutive assists, extending the margin to 88-75.
Late in the fourth, Cunningham hit a stepback 3 over Jeremy Sochan to reach 40 points and later threw a transition alley-oop to Daniss Jenkins, giving Detroit a 114-97 lead with just over four minutes remaining. Those finishes left little doubt in a game that Detroit controlled for long stretches despite missing key rotation pieces.
Depth and discipline underpinned the win
Detroit was without centers Isaiah Stewart and Jalen Duren because of suspension, yet the Pistons still handled New York’s frontcourt on the way to a comfortable road win. Reed and two-way center Tolu Smith held their own; Reed finished with 18 points, seven rebounds and three blocks, and Smith battled through foul trouble to contribute defensively.
Coach J. B. Bickerstaff summed up the team’s approach: “It’s just playing good basketball. This isn’t an ‘Us vs. Knicks’ thing. ” Knicks coach Mike Brown acknowledged the sting of consecutive losses: “Nobody wants to lose, and everyone is disappointed. It’s not a fun feeling, but it’s not the end of the world. ” Brunson added briefly, “It’s a new year. ”
With this win, Detroit further solidified its hold on the top seed in the Eastern Conference and continued a second-half push with a balanced attack centered on Cunningham’s scoring and playmaking.
Detroit’s next game is on the road in Chicago on Saturday at 8 p. m.; the Knicks travel to Cleveland to face the Cavaliers on Tuesday.
