Cade Cunningham poured in 36 points and recorded eight assists as the host Detroit Pistons pulled out a 115-106 victory over the New York Knicks in a preview of a potential first-round playoff matchup on Thursday night.
Jalen Duren supplied 18 points and 13 rebounds for the Pistons (44-36). Tobias Harris had 17 points and Ron Holland contributed 13 off the bench.
Karl-Anthony Towns led the Knicks (50-30) with 25 points and 10 rebounds but also committed seven turnovers. Precious Achiuwa had 18 points and 10 rebounds, Mikal Bridges tossed in 17 points and Jalen Brunson added 15.
The Knicks were missing two starters. Forwards OG Anunoby was sidelined by a right thumb sprain, while Josh Hart sat due to right knee patellofemoral syndrome.
The Knicks led 35-29 after the first quarter as Cunningham picked up two quick fouls. Towns collected his third foul with 8:30 left in the half but the Knicks stretched their advantage to 11 before settling for a 62-56 halftime lead.
Achiuwa led New York with 13 first-half points, while Brunson and McBride had 12 apiece. Cunningham topped Detroit with 16 points.
Achiuwa had a three-point play during a 7-0 Knicks spurt that reestablished an 11-point lead at 71-60. Following a Cunningham turnover, Bridges made a short jumper to give New York a 78-65 lead.
The Pistons then made their run, finishing the quarter on a 20-7 run to tie it at 85. Cunningham scored 14 points during the quarter to reach the 30-point mark.
Cunningham scored in the lane with 8:32 remaining to put the Pistons on top, 95-93. Landry Shamet tied it at 99 with a corner 3-pointer.
Holland then made two consecutive layups to give Detroit a four-point lead.
After Bridges committed the Knicks’ fourth turnover in a 2:10 span, Harris hit a bank shot. After Dennis Schroder split free throws, Cunningham scored off a screen to make it 108-99.
Towns scored the next four points but Schroder answered with a three-point play. Towns responded with a three-point play of his own but the Knicks couldn’t get any closer.
–Field Level Media
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