In a recent NBA regular season game, the Pistons won a rare victory at home with a 106-103 upset victory over the Cavaliers. Prior to this campaign, the Cavaliers were fourth in the East with 35 wins and 23 losses, and the Pistons were second to last in the East with 13 wins and 45 losses, and the difference in strength between the two teams was obvious, but the absence of the Cavaliers' two top scorers, Garland and Le Ver, gave the Pistons the opportunity to counterattack.
After the opening, the Cavaliers had a clear advantage, taking a 33-27 lead in the first quarter, but missing two important scoring points, which led to their failure to extend the offensive firepower at the back, and at the end of the half, the Pistons chased the score to 52-55. In the third quarter, the two sides once again engaged in a tug-of-war, and the Pistons continued to narrow the point gap 28-27 in the single quarter, and the two sides almost returned to the same running line. In the final quarter, the Pistons began with a 14-4 offensive wave, turning the score back to 94-86, and the Cavaliers were forced to pause.
After the timeout returned, Markkanen led the team to chase the score, and with 1 minute left, Markkanen led the team to a wave of 17-8 attacks, turning the score back to 103-102, but then Corningham made four consecutive free throw hits to help the Pistons lead again with 106-103 with 10 seconds left, and the Cavaliers failed to take advantage of the last three consecutive 3-point equal opportunities, regrettably losing the game.
To be able to win the game and withstand the Cavaliers' counterattack at key moments in the fourth quarter, Pistons champion Cunningham was instrumental, and he hit four consecutive free throws at key moments in the fourth quarter, showing the big heart characteristics of a future star. In the last minute, even if Cunningham had a penalty loss, the outcome of the game could have been changed, but his steady hit of four free throws also required the Cavaliers to hit at least one 3-pointer to drag the game into overtime, but in the end, the Cavaliers did not seize the opportunity.
The game was a typical strong and weak dialogue, and the ending of the game did not seem to be too suspenseful, but the Pistons achieved a blast on the gram, in addition to winning another victory, Cunningham's performance at a critical moment was more worthy of the team's joy.
Judging from the current situation of the two teams, this game is not too much to watch, because one is the top team in the East, the other is a bad team, and the only highlight may be the showdown between this year's Champion and Tanhua. Although Mobley eventually contributed 12 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists and 3 blocks, it was clear that Cunningham became the hero of the game with his last-minute free throw savior.
Cunningham started 32 minutes, only 4 of 16 shots, 4 of 4 three-pointers, 9 of 10 free throws, and finally contributed 17 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists and 2 blocks, the shooting feel was very bad, the performance was difficult to satisfy, but his passing and defense still brought a lot of help to the team, especially the 9 of 10 free throws, which was very critical.
Throughout the fourth quarter, before the final 4 free throws, Cunningham did not score 1 point, only gave 1 assist, the team once took a double-digit lead, it seems that it does not have much to do with him, if the final loss, it is inevitable that it will be criticized. But in the final moments, Cunningham successfully achieved redemption with 4 stable free throws, and even if he shot badly in front of him, these 4 free throws were enough to give him the praise he deserved.
These 4 free throws helped the team win the game, but also showed a supernova rare big heart, at this time standing on the free throw line, for a rookie, the pressure is very large, but he well withstood the pressure, did not continue the bad shooting feel to the free throw line, but steadily sent the ball into the basket, giving the team the opportunity to counterattack.