Photo by Brian Sevald/NBAE via Getty Images
By Rafael Bandayrel
The Detroit Pistons protected their home floor with a 124-116 victory over the short-handed Oklahoma City Thunder in a matchup that could very well preview this year’s NBA Finals.
Detroit seemed poised to cruise to the win before Oklahoma City mounted a late 13-2 surge, trimming the deficit to just three with 5:06 remaining. The Pistons quickly responded with three consecutive buckets to regain control and restore breathing room.
Duncan Robinson swung the momentum after drawing a foul on a three-point attempt and sinking all three free throws with under 1:55 to play. Cade Cunningham then delivered the dagger, banking in a floater to push the lead to six with less than a minute left.
The Thunder were without Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, and Chet Holmgren, but continued to compete until the final stretch.
Jalen Duren powered Detroit with 29 points and 15 rebounds, while Cunningham matched him with 29 markers of his own to go along with 13 assists.