There are certain games that teams immediately circle on the schedule, which is the case with the Detroit Pistons and the New York Knicks, as they don't like each other and will be fighting all season for the top of the Eastern Conference.
This is especially true for Cade Cunningham when it comes to playing in Madison Square Garden.
Cunningham has had some of his best games on basketball’s biggest stage and has torched the Knicks in New York in their last five meetings, averaging 31 points, eight assists and seven rebounds on 47/39/89 shooting splits.
We know Cade can step up as a scorer and offensive engine when the lights are brightest, but tonight, he may have to also play the role of decoy.
The Pistons have the shooting to make the Knicks pay
The Pistons have started out red hot from behind the 3-point line, particularly Duncan Robinson and John Collins, who are both shooting over 50 percent from long range on the season so far.
Even with Isaiah Joe possibly out, the Pistons have more shooting than they’ve had in their previous meetings with the Knicks, something they can lean into if New York decides to try and take Cunningham out of the game.
With Jalen Duren also out, the Pistons can put five-out lineups on the floor, which should hopefully open up space for Cunningham to operate. But if the Knicks still decide to swarm Cunningham, he has to make them pay by setting up the shooters.
New York will have to choose their poison, as they can either play Cade straight up and deal with the consequences, as they don’t have the same rim protection without Mitchell Robinson at center.
Double Cade, and the Pistons now have the shooting to make them pay, so this could be a game where we see Cunningham rack up double-digit assists even if he doesn’t take a ton of shots, especially early on. I expect Cunningham will pick his spots early, try to get his teammates going, and then take over if necessary.
We could also see more 3-point attempts from Cunningham with Daniss Jenkins running the point in the starting lineup if Ausar Thompson doesn't play. The Knicks will have to deal with Cunningham more off the ball, so it should be easier for Detroit to get it to him with the defense in motion and ready for him to attack.
The Pistons have dominated the Knicks in recent regular-season meetings, many of them without Jalen Duren, so this is a game they expect to win even though they are shorthanded.
The new-look offense will help, as it should make it more difficult for the Knicks to slow down Cunningham both on and off the ball.
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