3 takeaways from Pistons clutch win over the Pacers
The Detroit Pistons are starting to find themselves as the season winds down.
They used a clutch run late in the 4th to seal the game against the Indiana Pacers, their second win in a row and 5th in their last 10 games.
Detroit was once again led by Cade Cunningham and Saddiq Bey, who have both been filling it up lately. The two scored a combined 45 points and were key in the run that closed out the game.
The Pistons are still likely to end with one of the three worst record in the NBA, but it is nice to see them playing well and building chemistry for next season.
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Here are three takeaways from Detroit’s win over the Indiana Pacers.
Detroit Pistons in the clutch
The Pistons and Pacers entered clutch time of the 4th quarter tied at 98 and both teams were struggling offensively, especially the Pistons.
When Indiana went up 105-99, it didn’t look like Detroit would have an answer in the second game of a back-to-back.
But then Cade Cunningham went to work.
He hit a three to make it 105-102, then assisted on a three from Saddiq Bey on the next possession, which tied the game. Detroit didn’t look back from there, as the Pacers scored just one more point in the entire game.
Detroit finished on a 12-1 run to steal a game at home and just about everyone got involved. Jerami Grant hit some clutch free throws after being shut down for most of the game.
Isaiah Stewart had some big rebounds and tip outs that kept possessions alive, continuing his strong play down the stretch.
And they were led by rookie Cade Cunningham, who showed one thing that separates him from the others in his class: his clutch DNA.
Cunningham ran the offense, slowed things down and was a calming force in the final minutes. He scored five points in clutch time and added two assists and three rebounds and was clearly the leader on the floor.
Few teams turn to a rookie in clutch time and Cade Cunningham thrives in these situations. The Pistons have been winning close games lately partly because of his ability to take over when it matters.