These are heady times for the Detroit Pistons, who moved a season-high eight games above .500 with a last-second victory over the Miami Heat on Wednesday.
The Pistons (39-31) have their sights set on larger goals as they prepare to visit the Dallas Mavericks on Friday.
While the injury-plagued Mavericks (33-37) are battling for the final spot in the Western Conference play-in tournament, Detroit has emerged as one of the league’s most surprising teams this season.
The Pistons improved to 25-13 since Jan. 1 with their dramatic 116-113 win over Miami. Cade Cunningham recorded his ninth triple-double of the season and made a 3-pointer with less than a second left to give Detroit the victory.
“It’s a great feeling. It’s hard to put into words,” Cunningham said. “That was my first 3-ball game-winner, so it’s fun, man. It’s like stuff you always dream of as a kid in the driveway. You count down and you shoot the ball, it’s like one of those moments.”
Cunningham had 25 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists for the Pistons, who hold sixth place in the Eastern Conference. Jalen Duren added 15 points and 11 rebounds.
It’s been a remarkable turnaround for Detroit after winning just 14 games last season.
“It’s still early for us,” Cunningham said. “This is winning right now and to put ourselves in the position that we’ve put ourselves in is something that not a lot of people saw us doing. It’s something we’re super proud of right now. At the same time, though, we know there’s a lot more work to do to get the respect that we want in this league.”
Cunningham is averaging 25.6 points, 9.3 assists and 6.1 rebounds to lead the Pistons, who have outscored their opponents in the paint in 26 straight games.
Detroit is looking for a season sweep of the Mavericks after winning 117-102 on Jan. 31.
Dallas fell into a tie for the No. 10 spot in the Western Conference standings after losing 135-131 to the host Indiana Pacers on Wednesday. The Mavericks have lost four straight and nine of their last 10.
Injures have decimated the Mavs, who had a league-minimum eight players available on Wednesday. The lengthy injury list includes Kyrie Irving (torn left ACL), Anthony Davis (strained left adductor), Dereck Lively II (right ankle stress fracture) and Daniel Gafford (right MCL sprain).
Dallas rallied from a 16-point deficit in the second quarter and made it a close game after outscoring Indiana 34-22 in the third quarter.
“We played a beautiful game,” Mavericks guard Kai Jones said. “I love the way we fought back. It’s a learning experience for sure. We got to take the good out of it and stay positive and move forward, but I’m proud of the way the team played.
“We did a great job fighting back.”
P.J. Washington Jr. had 26 points to lead Dallas, while Jaden Hardy scored 24 and Jones added 18 points and 11 rebounds. Despite the loss, Mavericks coach Jason Kidd was pleased with his team’s resilience.
“We’re getting everything we can,” Kidd said. “They’re giving everything they have. They’re exhausted mentally and physically. There’s a lot of fight in that locker room, and they’re going to continue to fight. But when you have eight guys and half of them are on minutes restrictions, it’s hard.”
–Field Level Media
