Cade Cunningham is relishing his role as Detroit’s closer

The Detroit Pistons continue to build on their foundations during this 11-game winning streak. They are the second best defensive team in the NBA with a defensive rating of 109.6. Prioritized paint production as the best team in the league, averaging 59.3 points in the paint per game. And closing the final part on the back All-Star point guard, Cade Cunningham.

Cunningham’s maturation has seen him become one of the most demanding players in the NBA. He currently leads the NBA in 4th quarter scoring, averaging 11.2 points. That trend continued Tuesday against the Atlanta Hawks when he scored nine points in the final period to seal the Pistons’ 120-112 victory. Cunningham explained to the media after the game that he likes the opportunity because the team is closer in postgame situations.

“I’m definitely enjoying this moment. I think it’s a responsibility that I appreciate so much. I’m trying to get the most out of it. My team trusts me to have the ball to play,” Cunningham he statedvia Hunter Patterson of the Detroit News. “At times like that, I feel like it’s my opportunity and my job to go and play. Whether it’s dribbling, passing, sacrifice passing, whatever it is. I just want to help my team.”

Cunningham has delivered clutch moments throughout his career. One of his biggest late-game moments came against Miami Heat last season with a three-pointer on the road. Another one came against the Hawks last season, as the All-NBA point guard hit a left-handed layup to take the lead and make a clutch defensive layup to seal the game.

Opponents made sure to challenge Cunningham as often as possible to make those moments difficult. Cunningham faced constant double teams not only in the fourth quarter, but throughout the game. Pistons head coach JB Bickerstaff has he expressed nothing but confidence in his starting quarterback to help bring his team home in those moments.

“Obviously, that’s what superstars do. Cade is in that class of superstars. He thrives at that point,” Bickerstaff said. “Cade is obviously a kid and a superstar, but he’s lifted up by his teammates who help him in those moments as well.”

The pistons become healthy

The Pistons could be on their way to getting a healthy roster soon. Tuesday night’s game marked Cunningham’s return to Detroit’s lineup. He had previously been sidelined for the previous three games while nursing a hip injury.

Detroit is also back up front Ausar Thompson back on the floor against the Hawks. He was inactive due to an ankle injury he recently suffered against the Philadelphia 76ers. Thompson came off the bench in his return, but made a much-needed impact to help the Pistons to victory.

The Pistons also assigned guard Jaden Ivey to the Motor City Cruise to help him get in shape as he prepares for his return. Ivey has yet to make his regular season debut due to a preseason knee injury. Detroit has been without its starting point guard since January due to a gruesome matchup season-ending leg injury against the Orlando Magic.