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.
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.
Saddiq Bey is surging for the Detroit Pistons
Saddiq Bey is on a tear for the Detroit Pistons right now.
After having some ups and downs this season, Bey is trying to finish on a high note and he’s been stacking the numbers.
Over the last four games, Bey is averaging 23.7 points, 5.7 rebounds and three assists. He’s not just relying on the 3-ball but using his strength and size to get to the rim and finish.
I have been chastised for comparing Bey to Jimmy Butler, but I am sticking with it, as this guy is 22-years-old and routinely putting up big games. He may never get to Butler’s level as a defender, but he is already putting up better numbers than Butler was at his age and seems to get better with every game.
He’s now up to 16.2 points, 5.8 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game on the season and his 3-point shooting has steadily climbed up to 34.8 percent. And he’s still just 22-years old.
This is for the comments’ section haters: Jimmy Butler averaged 2.6 points per game when he was 22 and didn’t surpass the numbers Bey is putting up until he was 25-years-old.
Bey has the clutch DNA and isn’t afraid of the big shots, and every game looks more and more like a foundational piece of the Pistons’ restoration. I’m excited to see how his game will develop in year three.
Marvin Bagley III picks up the Pistons’ bench
With Jerami Grant having an off game and only scoring eight points, the Detroit Pistons needed someone else to step up and fill out their Big 3.
That man was Marvin Bagley III, who returned from his ankle injury and immediately made an impact, scoring 18 points and adding eight rebounds and two assists.
Bagley’s post game was a weapon in the second half and I thought he and Livers really gave the Pistons some energy on a night when they were lacking it at times.
The Pistons’ bench was rolling before Bagley got injured but had struggled without him, so it was nice to get him back. Hopefully Detroit will get Frank Jackson back soon, as this bench can be a weapon when it is at full strength.
The young Pistons are starting to gel and this looks like a team that could make a big leap next season with the right additions in the offseason.