In the NBA world, anticipation reached its peak as Cade Cunningham, the Detroit Pistons’ dynamic point guard, marked his long-awaited return to the court last Thursday evening. After a season on the sidelines due to a lingering shin injury, Cunningham finally donned the Pistons’ jersey in their regular season opener against the Miami Heat on October 26.
Despite his extended absence, Cunningham showcased the star quality that had fans and bettors alike buzzing with excitement. In a thrilling showdown against the Miami Heat, he displayed his multifaceted skillset, delivering 30 points and contributing 9 assists. While the Pistons eventually fell short with a narrow 103-102 loss, the excitement in Kaseya Center was palpable.
Not only did the one-point loss to last year’s Eastern Conference champions revitalize Pistons faithful, but it also offered promising prospects for Michigan’s budding NBA betting community. In addition to the Pistons covering the +9.5 spread, Cunningham hit the Over on both points and assists, so Cunningham’s resurgence is already bleeding into the sports betting realm as well.
Throughout the game, Cunningham led the charge for the Pistons, spearheading their offense and creating open shots for his teammates. Shooting 13-27 from the field, including 4-9 from three-point range, Cunningham demonstrated his ability to make an impact on the game from all over the court.
What truly stood out in Cunningham’s return, however, was his composure and smart decision-making, even when faced with double-teams. His presence kept the Pistons competitive, despite the team’s offensive struggles at times. It’s important to remember that this was Cunningham’s first NBA game in nearly ten months.
Obviously, you can’t take just one game and try to predict the rest of the season, but it definitely offered a glimpse of what’s to come. As Cunningham continues to regain his form and get into game shape, he’ll undoubtedly make a significant impact on the Pistons’ success in 2023-24 every time he steps onto the court, whether his shots are falling or not.
Ultimately, the success of the Pistons’ rebuilding efforts hinges largely on Cunningham’s growth, and while he couldn’t secure the win in the end, he gave the Pistons a fighting chance, something the franchise hasn’t seen much of in recent years.
