Pistons Vs Knicks: Cade Cunningham’s 42 caps season sweep at Madison Square Garden
Pistons vs Knicks played out as a statement Thursday at Madison Square Garden, where Cade Cunningham scored 42 points and added 13 assists and eight rebounds to lead Detroit to a 126-111 win that completed the regular-season sweep.
Pistons Vs Knicks: Sweep complete at Madison Square Garden
Detroit’s 126-111 victory left the Pistons 3-0 against New York this season, with an average margin of victory of 28 points across the three games; the Knicks lost two earlier meetings by 31 and 38 points. The Pistons improved to 41-13, while the Knicks entered the game at 35-21. Detroit was missing its two big men, Jalen Duren and Isaiah Stewart, who were suspended, and New York was short one rotation player with Miles McBride unavailable.
Cunningham’s MVP case grows louder
Cunningham finished with 42 points, 13 assists, eight rebounds and two blocks, repeatedly getting what he wanted against defenders OG Anunoby, Mikal Bridges and Jeremy Sochan. He opened strong with 14 first-quarter points and closed with a stepback 3 to reach 40 late in the fourth, then assisted on a transition alley-oop that extended the lead. After the game, Cunningham said, "I think I am [MVP], " and he has spent the season building a statistical resume while the Pistons sit atop the standings at 41-13.
Defense, depth and key performances filled the gaps
Detroit held New York to 8-of-35 from 3-point range and survived a first half stretch in which the Knicks missed 15 straight attempts from deep. Paul Reed started in the middle and contributed 18 points, seven rebounds and three blocks, helping Detroit offset the absence of Duren and Stewart; Tolu Smith battled foul trouble entering the fourth with five fouls. Jalen Brunson led New York with 33 points and eight assists, but the Knicks struggled to find consistent perimeter shooting in the loss.
What’s next
Detroit heads into its next scheduled game on the road against the Chicago Bulls on Saturday at 8 p. m. ET. New York’s next scheduled matchup in the immediate stretch is a road game against Cleveland on Tuesday. Recovery and rotation decisions for Detroit will move toward that Chicago game as the Pistons try to maintain the East’s top spot at 41-13.
