Cade Cunningham Keeps Pistons Grounded After Taking 2-0 Lead Over Cavaliers

Posted : 08 May 2026

Despite leading the Detroit Pistons to a commanding 2-0 advantage over the Cleveland Cavaliers, Cade Cunningham remained measured in his post-game outlook, emphasizing that nothing is guaranteed in the postseason.

The Pistons secured a 107-97 victory in Game 2, marking their fifth straight playoff win for the first time since 2008. The result puts them firmly in control of the series, but Cunningham was quick to point out how quickly momentum can shift in the playoffs.

Just days earlier, Detroit had endured a tense first-round battle against the Orlando Magic, where they once trailed by 24 points in Game 6 before staging a comeback. That experience, Cunningham said, continues to shape the team’s mindset.

“It taught us how fragile the line is between winning and losing,” Cunningham explained, stressing that the Pistons must stay disciplined and treat each game individually. He added that Cleveland would be stronger at home and that Detroit must remain focused to close out the series.

The Pistons ultimately recovered from a 3-1 deficit in that opening series to eliminate Orlando, a turnaround that Cunningham believes strengthened the group’s belief and resilience heading into Round 2.

In Game 2 against Cleveland, Cunningham delivered another standout performance with 25 points and 10 assists, while Tobias Harris contributed 21 points and seven rebounds to help seal the win.

Cunningham reflected that the earlier series showed him how long and demanding playoff battles can be, describing it as a “war” rather than a single contest. That experience, he said, reinforced the importance of staying patient and executing consistently.

His postseason form has been remarkable, as he has now scored at least 20 points in each of his first 15 playoff appearances—ranking among the longest such streaks to begin an NBA career. During Detroit’s current winning run, he has averaged over 31 points per game.

Although he started slowly in Game 2, scoring just five points in the first half, Cunningham took over late, scoring 12 points in the fourth quarter, including a crucial step-back three-pointer that helped secure the victory.

Head coach J.B. Bickerstaff praised his star guard, describing Cunningham as a decisive closer who thrives in high-pressure moments.

Detroit also benefited from strong contributions off the bench, including 14 points from Daniss Jenkins and a record-setting shooting performance from Duncan Robinson, who became the first Pistons player to hit five three-pointers in consecutive playoff games.

Despite their strong position, the Pistons insist they are not looking at statistics or historical trends, even though teams leading 2-0 in best-of-seven series go on to win the series the vast majority of the time.

Players like Jenkins echoed Cunningham’s cautious approach, stressing that the team still feels underestimated and remains motivated to prove itself as the series shifts to Cleveland.

Cade Cunningham Keeps Pistons Grounded After Taking 2-0 Lead Over Cavaliers

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