Cade’s Masterpiece: Cunningham’s All-Around Dominance Fuels Pistons’ Rout of Magic
On some nights, you just have to sit back and appreciate what you’re seeing. Wednesday night at the LCA was one of those nights. If you just glanced at the box score and saw the Detroit Pistons dropped 135 points on the Orlando Magic in a 135-116 blowout, you’d be happy. But you’d be missing the real story.
The real story was Cade Dunningham, putting it all on display in front of the home crowd.
This wasn’t just a good game for Cade; it was a masterpiece. We’re talking 30 points, 10 assists, six rebounds, three steals, and three blocked shots. Let that sink in for a second. He was a maestro conducting an orchestra on offense, a Swiss Army knife on defense, and the undisputed leader from the opening tip to the final horn. He was everywhere, doing everything, and the Magic had absolutely no answer for him.
It’s one thing to score 30. It’s another to drop 10 assists, getting everyone involved. But to add that kind of defensive production? Three steals and three blocks from your point guard? That’s special. That’s the kind of performance that can elevate a player from good to great.
That’s incredible production, but to me, the most important stat on the sheet was ZERO turnovers—let me repeat that, ZERO turnovers. This is what I’ve been waiting for: a clean game, and the results speak for themselves.
More Than a One-Man Show
Of course, Cade didn’t do it alone, and that’s what makes this 3-2 start to the season feel so different. You could feel the energy in the building, the kind of chemistry that’s been missing for a while.
Tobias Harris, the savvy veteran, was the perfect complement to Cunningham’s brilliance. He chipped in a cool 23 points, hitting big shots whenever Orlando even thought about making a run. Having that steady, professional scorer on the floor takes so much pressure off the young guys. You can see his calming influence, and it’s paying dividends.
And then there’s Jalen Duren, who is such a force in the paint—when he stays out of foul trouble. The big fella was an absolute monster on the glass, finishing with a massive 21 points and 12 rebounds. His connection with Cade on lobs and pick-and-rolls was really evident last year, and it’s getting better and better. He wasn’t just scoring and rebounding; he was imposing his will on the game, and that physicality is a huge part of this team’s identity.
After a sluggish start that saw the Pistons miss nine of their first 10 shots, the team didn’t panic. They settled in and completely took over in the second half, outscoring the Magic 70-52 after halftime. That kind of resilience, especially after trailing for most of the first half, speaks volumes about the character of this squad. Bouncing back from the dud against the Cavaliers was also a great sign.
High-Scoring, But What About the D?
Putting up 135 points is terrific, but we also have to talk about the other side of the ball. Giving up 116 points is a significant amount. That brings up an interesting wrinkle with this early season: the new NBA rules.
You’ve probably noticed scoring is up around the league — and part of that comes from the NBA’s new “high-five” rule, which penalizes defenders for making contact with a shooter’s follow-through. It’s leading to more fouls and softer closeouts, and the Pistons might still be adjusting. Their defense looked a little loose at times against Orlando, but that’s to be expected as teams figure out how to stay aggressive without living at the free-throw line. Striking that balance will be crucial if Detroit wants this early momentum to turn into something real.
So, What Does 3-2 Really Mean?
Let’s be real for a second. Being above .500 five games into the season is a nice start, especially given the struggles in the past. It feels like the rebuild is finally turning a corner. But it’s a marathon, not a sprint. Last year was a huge stepping stone, and this year needs to be a bridge to years of competitive basketball.
The important thing is that the team is showing signs of a clear identity. They have a leader in Cade, a physical presence in Duren, and a veteran scorer in Harris. What will be interesting is how many games will resemble this one against the Magic, and how many will resemble the disaster against Cleveland. Time will tell.
The team now heads to Mexico City for a unique matchup against the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday. That will be a fascinating test against Cooper Flagg, the rookie, number one pick of the 2025 NBA draft. Can they carry this momentum south of the border? We’re about to find out.
For now, let’s just enjoy this one. It was more than just a win; it was a statement. A statement that Cade Cunningham is ready for the spotlight and that the Detroit Pistons are a team on the rise. And for a city that needs a team to keep them feeling good all winter, that’s a beautiful thing to see.
We’d love to hear your thoughts on Cade’s big night and where you think this Pistons team is headed — drop a comment below or join the discussion with other fans over at Mitten Sports Talk’s Pistons Community.
