Eighteen assists and only four turnovers, leading his Detroit Pistons to an overtime win, is a night any point guard would gladly covet; but Cade Cunningham delivered more. He scored 20 points and grabbed 11 rebounds to round out his sixth triple double of the season against a resilient Miami Heat squad. 

While it’s true the Pistons gave up an 18-point 4th quarter lead, it is also true that the team showed poise and clutch shooting to earn its way into the last play-in spot in the early season standings, at 11-16. 

“I thought we played on our heels a little bit too much,” Cunningham said postgame. “We just got in the huddle and decided to put our foot down, draw the line, and you know, we pulled out the win.” 

Cunningham’s two free throws with 11.5 seconds left in the 4th should have iced it, but the Heat hit a dramatic 3-pointer to send the game into overtime. That’s where Tim Hardaway Jr. took over with three consecutive threes to give the Pistons the lead, and an eventual 125-124 victory on home court. 

Up next is a home game against the Utah Jazz. This year’s edition of the Jazz have a record of five wins and 19 losses. Tip off is Thursday, Dec. 19, 7 p.m. EST.