Cade Cunningham's historic performance led the Detroit Pistons to solidify their hold on the top spot in the Eastern Conference with a 126-111 victory over the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on Thursday night.
Cunningham produced 42 points, 13 assists and eight rebounds in 38 minutes, shooting 17-for-34 (50 percent) from the field, 5-for-11 from three-point range and 3-for-3 at the foul line. He finished with one steal, two blocks, five turnovers and zero fouls. The 24-year-old scored 24 of Detroit's 58 points in the first half and 14 points in the opening quarter, hitting three 3-pointers, as the Pistons erased a 9-2 deficit with a 21-8 run. He finished the first half with eight points and assists on a 7-0 run, leading Detroit 58–48 at halftime.
Cunningham's stat line made franchise history. He became the first Pistons player to post at least 40 points, five rebounds, 10 assists and five 3-pointers in a single game. It was his third 40-point game of the season, his 28th double-double, and fell four points shy of his career high. He is now third in MVP odds at +700 at BetMGM, behind Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (-150) and Nikola Jokic (+275).
Meanwhile, Detroit improved to 41–13, the best record in the NBA, six games ahead of the Boston Celtics in the East and seven games ahead of the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Central Division. The Pistons have won nine of their last 11 games and completed a three-game season sweep of New York by a combined 84 points, extending their regular season winning streak over the Knicks to six games after losing 16 straight in the earlier matchup.
Playing without suspended centers Jalen Duren and Isaiah Stewart, Detroit still won the rebounding battle 44–38 and outscored New York 58–56 in the paint. Paul Reed started at center and recorded 18 points, seven rebounds and three blocks, while Tobias Harris contributed 11 points and 10 rebounds. Ausner Thompson scored 10 points.
New York shot 47.1 percent overall but just 8-for-35 (22.9 percent) from three. Jalen Brunson scored 33 points with eight assists, and Karl-Anthony Towns had 21 points and 11 rebounds.
The Knicks host the Houston Rockets next Saturday, while the Pistons travel to Chicago to face the Bulls.
