Anthony Black’s Last-Second Heroics Deny Pistons in NBA Cup Clash
In a thrilling finish to a pivotal game, the Orlando Magic managed to thwart the Detroit Pistons’ hopes of advancing in the NBA Cup. With just 4.7 seconds remaining on the clock, Cade Cunningham intentionally missed a free throw, allowing him to regain possession. He quickly set up Duncan Robinson for a potentially game-tying shot. As Robinson launched his attempt, Anthony Black, displaying remarkable agility, soared to deflect the shot, sealing a 112-109 victory for the Magic.
Pistons’ Heartbreaking Exit
The loss marked a bitter end to the Pistons’ campaign in the NBA Cup, eliminating them from contention for a spot in the quarterfinals. After an impressive streak where they won 13 consecutive games, Detroit has now faced back-to-back defeats. Finishing the tournament with a 2-2 record, the Pistons were left to reflect on missed opportunities and a glaring issue: their struggles to find consistent scoring when their star player, Cunningham, isn’t leading the charge.
Cunningham’s Stellar Performance
Cunningham put forth an extraordinary effort, not only leading the team with a triple-double that included 39 points, 12 rebounds, and 11 assists but also demonstrating why he is the cornerstone of the franchise. His performance was bolstered by contributions from Tobias Harris, who added 18 points, and Jalen Duren, who recorded a double-double with 16 points and 12 rebounds.
As the Pistons regroup after this tough loss, the focus will undoubtedly shift toward finding solutions to ensure they can capitalize on Cunningham’s prowess moving forward.
