Detroit Pistons escape buzzer-beater for 122-121 win over Atlanta Hawks

by Junna Base November 14, 2024

The Detroit Pistons led by as much as 24 points at times in Friday’s game against the Atlanta Hawks at Little Caesars Arena.

That lead was completely squandered in the final minute when Hawks guard Trae Young hit two free throws to put the Hawks ahead by one with 12.1 seconds left, putting the Pistons in danger of a second straight game in the Finals a score to lose seconds after Wednesday’s loss in Charlotte, North Carolina.

This time, however, it was the Pistons’ Cade Cunningham who delivered late, with a 7-footer with 8.1 seconds left to give the Pistons a 122-121 victory.

“(Cunningham) has the ability to be the guy on an elite basketball team,” first-year head coach JB Bickerstaff said afterward.

More importantly, Cunningham blocked a layup attempt from Onyeka Okongwu in the final seconds to prevent a seventh loss for the Pistons (4-6).

“He’s learning and will improve, but he has the potential to be a superstar.”

Cunningham finished the night with a triple-double with 22 points (on 8-for-17 shooting), 13 assists and 11 rebounds. He also went 5-for-5 from the free throw line.

Cunningham got six of his assists in the first quarter, including a dime to a rushing Jaden Ivey for a dunk.

“Playing the way we played… we were great. At other times we were the opposite. We only made one more play than them,” Bickerstaff said.

The Pistons held Young, a three-time NBA All-Star, to six points in the first quarter, connecting on 3-pointers and denying him the basketball. He still got his points, however, finishing the game with 35 points and 13 assists, thanks to a 10-point, seven-assist fourth quarter.

For the Pistons, Tobias Harris also scored 22 points by hitting seven of 13 shots from the floor, and Malik Beasley added 22 off the bench, including three 3-pointers in nine attempts.

Since they are missing their young center, the rotation will be increased

The Pistons were missing starting center Jalen Duren due to an ankle injury he suffered on Wednesday. Backup center Isaiah Stewart stepped in during his absence.

A late rotation to fill the gap here, or a hard screen to create the penetration for an assist from Cunningham there, then a late ball jump in the fourth quarter – Stewart filled the Duren-sized hole on Friday by making the small ones made plays. He also finished with 10 points and 11 rebounds, his first double-double of the season.

“Stew is a guy who does thankless work every night,” Bickerstaff said. “Playing in the mud and trenches every night is not highlighted.”

Pistons overcome Hawks’ late push

The Pistons started the game effectively, building a 40-23 lead after the first quarter while moving the ball well, matching a season-high 14 assists.

Their lead narrowed in the second quarter, but the Pistons took a 13-point lead (66-53) at the break.

Then the Hawks cut the Pistons’ lead in the third, getting within three points on Jalen Johnson’s trailing 3-pointer with 1:52 left in the third. But Ivey answered 18 seconds later with a 12-foot jumper to give the Pistons some breathing room. The third-year guard finished the game with 18 points, three rebounds and three assists.

The defense asserts itself early

The Hawks entered this game averaging 29.1 points in the first quarter; the Pistons held them to 23.

“We understand possession by possession what we need to do right now,” Bickerstaff said. “The key to everything we do will be learning to get stops when needed and learning defense.”

The Pistons will stay home over the weekend and host the Houston Rockets at Little Caesars Arena on Sunday.

Jalen Williams is a trends reporter for the Detroit Free Press. Contact him at [email protected].

Whoopi Goldberg claims bakery refused to make her birthday dessert

What the next president could do for families

Israeli soccer fan describes attack in Amsterdam