BIRMINGHAM, Mich. — The Knicks’ defensive recreation plan on Cade Cunningham is doing precisely what it’s presupposed to do.
Cunningham, who lit up New York in the course of the common season — averaging 31 factors on higher than 50% capturing from the sector and three-point vary throughout 4 matchups — has struggled to seek out the identical rhythm with the stakes raised within the playoffs.
Head coach Tom Thibodeau’s easy however crucial adjustment — assigning OG Anunoby to shadow Cunningham as his main defender — has paid off. By way of three video games, Cunningham is capturing simply 43% from the sector and 31% from deep. He posted 21 factors on 8-of-21 capturing in Sport 1, exploded for 33 factors on 11-of-21 capturing in Sport 2, then labored for twenty-four factors on 10-of-25 capturing in Sport 3.
When it’s not Anunoby, it’s Mikal Bridges making use of the clamps. Cunningham missed all 4 of his makes an attempt when guarded by Bridges in Sport 3.
“I think it’s two different looks. He’s going against elite guys. Any guys that’s going is gonna get a different look from me and OG,” Bridges stated after observe at Seaholm Excessive Faculty on Saturday. “I definitely think if you give good guys, really good players the same look sometimes, they’ll be able to beat it. But mixing it up sometimes will help.”
Pistons head coach J.B. Bickerstaff acknowledged the uphill climb for his star guard after Saturday’s observe session.
“Obviously, they want to keep Anunoby matched up as much as they possibly can. They’re going to put two bodies on him when we are in the pick and roll,” Bickerstaff stated. “I felt they did a good job offensively finding the spaces and getting to his spot. So, again, things we work on we see and we will go out and use again tomorrow.”
The Pistons knew Anunoby could be an issue on protection. Bickerstaff laid it out plainly.
“He’s just physical. He’s got great feet. He’s strong. He’s got a dogged mentality,” he stated. “But again, we’ve seen Cade be able to get to where he wants to get to and do what he needs to do. We give him [Anunoby] respect because he’s earned it, but I still like Cade’s chances.”
Cunningham’s leap this season has been plain. A primary-time All-Star and now finalist — and betting favourite — for Most Improved Participant of the 12 months, the fourth-year guard averaged 26.1 factors, 9.1 assists, and 6.1 rebounds whereas showing in 70 video games for Detroit.
However the Pistons’ file when Cunningham has gone nuclear provides a actuality verify. Detroit is simply 9-14 this season when Cunningham scores 30 or extra — although notably, two of these wins got here towards New York.
Nonetheless, the Knicks’ evolving defensive blueprint might pressure Detroit into an uncomfortable pivot: placing the ball in different gamers’ palms and making somebody in addition to Cunningham carry the scoring burden. It’s the identical tactical bind Detroit has tried to impose on Jalen Brunson — however with out fairly the identical offensive arsenal round their very own star.
“Well, that’s the thing with Cade. It’s not always going to be about scoring,” stated Bickerstaff. “It’s going to be the setup. So if they put two guys on him, it’s how we create the four-on-three situations. I like our chances when we’re playing four-on-three versus anybody. The first game he had 12 assists. He’s figuring out how to manage the game and I think what hurt us this last game was our defense than anything we did offensively.”
