The Detroit Pistons and Cade Cunningham have already vanquished one of the top draft picks from 2021, defeating Jalen Green and the Rockets on the road.
It was nice to get a win against the trash-talking Green, but Cade Cunningham’s tour of the 2021 NBA Draft isn’t done yet.
Tonight the Detroit Pistons will take on Evan Mobley and the Cleveland Cavaliers, which will be a tough challenge, especially with Kelly Olynyk out with injury.
The Cavaliers have one of the biggest teams in the NBA, so rookie Luka Garza is going to get a challenge right out of the gate if the Pistons call him up from the G-League to replace Olynyk.
The Cavaliers are a surprising 7-5 after a zigging towards a giant lineup while the rest of the league zagged towards small ball.
All eyes will be on Cade Cunningham and Evan Mobley, who may end up defending one another at some point in the game, and the Pistons are going to have a hard time stopping this Cleveland team in the paint.
Detroit Pistons: Will Cade Cunningham defend Evan Mobley?
The Pistons were thin at center before Kelly Olynyk got hurt, so are going to have a hard time stopping the Cavaliers in the paint. Jarrett Allen is off to a scorching start and even won Eastern Conference player of the week after some huge games for the Cavs.
Allen is averaging 14.8 points, 11.5 rebounds and over a block and steal for the Cavs, so Isaiah Stewart is going to have his hands full and will have to stay out of foul trouble for the Pistons to have a chance.
That likely leaves Jerami Grant or Cade Cunningham to try and defend Mobley, which is not a good matchup for the Detroit Pistons.
Cade Cunningham and the Pistons will face Mobley and the Cavs, Scottie Barnes and the Raptors, Davion Mitchell and the Kings, Chris Duarte and the Pacers and Jonathan Kuminga of the Warriors in their next five games, and other than the Warriors, the Cavaliers will likely present the biggest matchup problems for the Pistons.
Cade Cunningham would love to get a sweep of his fellow 2021 NBA Draft picks, but it’s going to be tough as the shorthanded Pistons hit the road tonight against the Cavs.