Castle Stephon, prime minister cauchemar de Cade Cunningham

Faced with SpursTHE Clips they never found their rhythm. Hindered by San Antonio’s aggressive defense, Detroit made just 7 of its 36 3-point attempts (19.4% success rate). Conversely, the Texans made the difference with their skill from the outside, going a solid 18/40 from long range.

“We didn’t know how to find our rhythm in this match and it was the same for me”acknowledged Cade Cunningham. “Nothing was fitting, not even close to the circle. I didn’t find the right pace in 3-pointers. But every day is different: there are going to be nights when the shots go in. That wasn’t the case tonight.”

Detroit’s leader really epitomized his team’s down night, with 16 points and 10 assists, but above all, shooting 5/26 (including 2/9 on 3-pointers). Inefficiency largely caused by the work of undermining Stephen Castleubiquitous at the Pistons All-Star.

The reigning Rookie of the Year stuck with Cade Cunningham from the start, making every possession painful for him. Detroit’s leader also started the match 0/4, including several highly contested attempts.

“He executed the game plan perfectly”, greeted Mitch Johnson. “He stayed physical, moved his feet well and showed his hands.”

In the Castle/Wembi sandwich

This constant pressure even eventually annoyed Cade Cunningham. In the second quarter, while Ausar Thompson had the ball on the opposite side, Stefon Castle stuck to his opposite number. To break free, Cade Cunningham then shoved a Spurs player, which ends on the ground. Enough to spark a brief exchange with Jaylen Duren and Keldon Johnson, both of whom were penalized with technical fouls.

But Stephon Castle never gave up. Early in the fourth quarter, he again forced Cade Cunningham into a tough shot in the paint, eventually being blocked by Victor Wembanyama.

“I wanted to make it difficult for him”Stephon Castle explained. “I wanted to hold on to him to prevent him from playing the way he wanted. Everyone was willing to help me, especially with the racket. The goal was to make him hit the hardest shots possible.”

Even after Stephon Castle was benched, Cade Cunningham never found any skill in the matchup. He finished the final quarter with 0/8, so he could not prevent Detroit from losing.

“unbelievable”summed up Victor Vembanyama, who for his part made up the second curtain of the trap, about the defensive performance of his teammate. “I wish I knew how much he defended him, but he’s obviously responsible for a lot of his missed shots. We need this.”

How to read statistics? MJ = matches played; Min = Minute; Shots = Shots Successful / Shots Attempted; 3 points = 3 points / 3 points in an attempt; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive jump; Tot = Total number of jumps; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal mistakes; Int = intercepts; Bp = lost balls; Ct: Against; Points = Points.