Through two games, Cade Cunningham has been brilliant in the fourth quarter and can find himself in the race for Clutch Player of the Year. He's averaging 11.5 points per fourth quarter while leading his team on a double-digit comeback and holding off the dangerous Rockets. If he can keep up anything close to this level of production, Cade can not only win his first major award but also reverse his career's fourth-quarter trend so far.
Cade is dominating the fourth quarter in multiple ways
Cade's skillset is expansive, and he's shown it to its full extent in the fourth quarter. Whether it's finishing at the rim or hitting big-time jumpers, he's been able to score at will. A new tool in Cade's scoring arsenal has been better foul-drawing. Cade is not a flopper by any means, but he's attacking a more straightforward way this season that is earning him free throws more often than ever before.
But it doesn't just stop at scoring. Cade is an adept playmaker who has been able to set up his teammates for open shots in clutch moments. His teammates don't always hit the shots, but Cade generally succeeds in his playmaking duties. He is still averaging one turnover per fourth quarter, but doing a better job this season of holding up to double-teams and pressure in the clutch without throwing the ball away. Even against the lengthy Rockets, Cade was able to limit his clutch turnovers.
Against the Rockets, Cade also showed a unique way that he provides clutch value compared to most other superstars: defense. Cade is known for making clutch defensive plays to seal games, and had another one Friday night. With 4 minutes to go and the Pistons up 2, Amen Thompson - one of the best athletes in the NBA - caught the ball wide open under the rim after losing his brother Ausar with a cut. Cade recovered instantly to block him while he gathered the ball to go up.
Most importantly, Cade's fourth-quarter process has looked much better to start the season. He is moving with confidence on offense and capable of getting whatever shot he wants unless the opposing team sends two defenders his way. In those instances, he's shown the ability to exploit cracks by finding the open man or splitting double teams.
With the Pistons missing multiple guards to injury, Cade will have to continue carrying his team in the fourth. The Pistons' physical playstyle lends itself to a lot of close games, and Cade will have more opportunity to excel in them. This will also be great practice for the playoffs, when clutch successes and failures are further magnified, as the Pistons saw last season.