What happened

Cade Cunningham connected on a 25-foot three-pointer off an assist from Paul Reed with 9:30 remaining in the second quarter. The make pulled the score to 27-38. The bucket came as part of an early-game scoring exchange.

Why it matters

The triple is a sign that Cunningham is settling in as a creator and shotmaker in the half-court, with Reed contributing as a secondary playmaker on the possession. Keeping the deficit manageable in the second quarter matters for a Pistons team that has leaned on Cunningham's perimeter shotmaking in recent postseason play. Live in-game swings like this one shift quarter-by-quarter scoring props and short-term win-probability lines.

What to watch

Watch whether Cunningham keeps hunting his outside shot to chase the deficit, and whether Reed continues to factor as a connective passer off the bench. The next scoring run could decide whether the gap stays in single digits at halftime.

Sources

  • @ESPN