Cade Cunningham led the Detroit Pistons to a much-needed victory on Monday night, scoring 33 points and grabbing 12 rebounds. His performance helped the Pistons defeat the New York Knicks 100-94 in Game 2 of their playoff series. This win marked a significant moment for the team, as it ended their NBA-record 15-game postseason losing streak.
The Pistons had not made the playoffs since 2019 and were looking to bounce back after losing the first game of the series. They built a solid lead, going up by 15 points at one stage, but the Knicks fought back to tie the game at 94 with a 16-4 run, capped by a dunk from Josh Hart. However, with just 55 seconds left, Dennis Schroder, who joined the Pistons in a trade earlier this year, hit a crucial 3-pointer that ultimately secured the win for Detroit.
Schroder contributed significantly off the bench, finishing with 20 points. The Pistons had a rough start to the season, including a record 28-game losing streak, but they turned things around to finish with a 44-38 record. This turnaround is one of the biggest in NBA history.
In Game 1, the Pistons had a lead going into the fourth quarter but lost after the Knicks went on a 21-0 run. This time, they held strong in the face of another comeback attempt. Cunningham bounced back from a tough Game 1 performance, where he shot only 38% from the field. He was much more effective this time, and the Pistons shot 14 free throws compared to just two for the Knicks in the first half, leading to a 55-49 halftime advantage.
The Pistons’ defense was also pivotal, as they limited the Knicks to just one basket in the first seven minutes of the third quarter. Cunningham and Tobias Harris fueled an 11-0 run that gave Detroit a 68-53 lead, their largest of the game.
While Jalen Brunson stood out for the Knicks with 37 points, the team struggled overall, with key players Karl-Anthony Towns and OG Anunoby both held to just 10 points after strong performances in Game 1.
With the series now tied at one game each, the Pistons will have the home-court advantage when they host Game 3 on Thursday night. Fans are eager to see if Detroit can build on this momentum and take the lead in the series.