Tobias Harris did not hesitate when asked to describe Cade Cunningham’s franchise-record playoff performance.
“It was awesome,” Harris said after the Detroit Pistons’ 116-109 win over the Orlando Magic in Game 5 on Wednesday night.
Detroit stayed alive in the first-round series behind Cunningham’s 45 points, and Harris pointed directly to leadership and control as the difference.
“Just stepping up to the moment,” Harris said. “Always poised and composed and just a winner. Wants to do whatever it takes for our team to be successful.”
The veteran forward emphasized how Cunningham dictated tempo and execution throughout the night.
“Big shots after big shot all night,” Harris said. “And then just really controlling the game.”
Detroit never trailed and built a 17-point lead in the second quarter, which aligns with Harris’ emphasis on urgency and execution.
“It was the biggest thing for us as a group coming into this game,” he said. “Obviously we know backs against the wall but it’s a great win for us and we got to follow it up.”
Harris contributed 23 points on 9-of-18 shooting and hit key free throws late, reinforcing his role as a secondary scorer.
“It’s always a chess match every single game that you play,” Harris said. “So, it’s figuring out and finding ways to be impactful.”
He pointed to decision-making and energy as core playoff adjustments.
“It really just comes down to the output of energy and assertiveness that you give on the court,” Harris said. “You pick it up a notch in your approach and your reaction time.”
Detroit entered Game 5 facing elimination, and Harris described a simplified approach that translated to a strong start, including 38 first-quarter points.
“We really just broke this thing down of win every quarter, win every moment out there,” he said. “Backs against the wall, give it our all.”
The Pistons also leaned on defensive activity and rebounding, where Ausar Thompson recorded 15 rebounds and five steals.
“The way Ausar was playing tonight on the boards, all over the defensive end, those are winning basketball plays,” Harris said.
Orlando cut the deficit to three late behind Paolo Banchero’s 45 points, but Cunningham’s step-back jumper with 32 seconds left sealed the outcome.
“For us tonight, it was about him getting to his spots and being assertive and aggressive,” Harris said. “And I thought he did a tremendous job with that.”
Harris downplayed the scoring total itself, focusing instead on shot quality and execution.
“I think for us, it’s 45, but the biggest thing is we expect that,” he said. “Those shots he was taking are all in rhythm shots that we know he makes.”
Detroit now trails the series 3-2 and heads to Orlando for Game 6.“We have to do the same thing on the road, one game at a time,” Harris said. “That’s the only mentality you can really have.”
