TITLE: Cunningham’s 42 points power short-handed Pistons past Knicks, fuel MVP chatter
SLUG: cunningham-42-pistons-sweep-knicks-mvp-bid
CONTENT:
NEW YORK — Playing without their starting frontcourt, the Detroit Pistons completed a season sweep of the New York Knicks on Thursday night, winning 126-111 at Madison Square Garden behind a dominant 42-point performance from Cade Cunningham.
The third-year guard added 13 assists, eight rebounds and two blocks while shooting 5-for-11 from beyond the arc. Detroit (41-13) owns the NBA’s best record and now leads the Eastern Conference by six games over the Boston Celtics.
Pistons control the perimeter
Detroit limited New York, one of the league’s highest-volume three-point teams, to 8-of-35 from long range. The Knicks misfired on 15 consecutive attempts during the first half.
Center Jalen Duren and forward Isaiah Stewart served one-game suspensions stemming from a pre-All-Star break altercation in Charlotte, leaving the Pistons short up front. Head coach J.B. Bickerstaff said the team’s approach did not change.
“The majority of our games, we’ve played the same way, the same edge,” Bickerstaff noted. “This is just basketball for us, nothing to do with the opponent.”
Cunningham embraces MVP conversation
Cunningham, 24, told ESPN he now welcomes talk of the league’s top individual honor. “I think I am [MVP],” he said. “If you don’t agree with me, that’s your opinion.”
He is averaging 25.3 points (14th in the NBA), 9.6 assists (second) and 5.8 rebounds. No Pistons player has finished higher than second in MVP voting since Grant Hill trailed Michael Jordan and Karl Malone in 1997.
Veteran forward Tobias Harris praised Cunningham’s impact. “He’s a winner, man. Attitude, leadership — every day, the guy is special,” Harris said.
Season series and playoff implications
Detroit improved to 3-0 against New York and is 3-1 versus Boston and 1-1 against Cleveland, potential postseason opponents. The Pistons also swept their four-game road trip, pushing their away record to 19-7, one win behind the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder.
“What statement? We’re the best team in the East,” Cunningham said when asked about Thursday’s outcome. “We’re going to compete until you lay down for us.”
The Pistons return home Saturday to face the Orlando Magic, while the Knicks host the Philadelphia 76ers the same night.
Source: ESPN
