This defensive play from Cade Cunningham earned block of the week

Cade Cunningham and the Detroit Pistons hope their final game before the All-Star break was a sign of things to come.

The Pistons beat the Celtics by one point, holding on to the victory behind some clutch defense from Cade Cunningham.

Cunningham’s defense has largely been overlooked this season, but the rookie has been very good. He is second amongst rookies in total steals and fifth in blocks, and has shown the ability to defend all over the court.

While his offense has gotten most of the attention, Cade’s play on both ends is ultimately what will separate him from some of the others in his draft class.

This play was not only clutch, but showed Cade’s ability to play disruptive defense against an elite offensive player.

Cade Cunningham’s game-saving block for the Detroit Pistons

As the clock wound down, Detroit clung desperately to a one point lead against the Celtics, who ended up giving the ball to wing Jaylen Brown.

Brown took the dribble hand off and went straight to the basket, but ran into a wall of Cade Cunningham and had to switch directions. Cade was ready when he did.

This play shows his basketball I.Q. as Cade was able to read the play, go under the screen and pick Brown up as he turned the corner.

He then showed footwork to stay in front of him without fouling, forcing Brown to his left and stuffing him as he tried to go up for the game winner (with an assist from Isaiah Stewart).

The play was a big reason the Pistons won the game and showed why so many people are high on Cunningham as a two-way player.

A lot of the scouts and pundits have compared Cade Cunningham to Luka Doncic, which would be amazing, but Cade is already miles ahead of Doncic defensively, though he still has a long way to go as a scorer to get to Luka’s level.

This play won the Detroit Pistons the game and earned Cade the NBA’s block of the week.