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3-Time NBA Champion Praises Pistons Star Cade Cunningham

Udonis Haslem gives Cade Cunningham his flowers.
Kevin McCormick|
Mar 19, 2025; Miami, Florida, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) drives to the basket past Miami Heat center Kel'el Ware (7) during the fourth quarter at Kaseya Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Mar 19, 2025; Miami, Florida, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) drives to the basket past Miami Heat center Kel'el Ware (7) during the fourth quarter at Kaseya Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images | Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

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Detroit Pistons

In the midst of a breakout season, Cade Cunningham has delivered a lot of big-time moments for the Detroit Pistons. He added one to the growing list Wednesday night, which has led to countless talking heads around the league giving him his flowers.

Following a competitive matchup all night, the Pistons and Miami Heat found themselves tied in the game's final seconds. Detroit found themselves with the ball and, as expected, went to Cunningham to come up big at the end. He would do just that, hitting a three-point shot over an outstretched Bam Adebayo to lead the Pistons to a 116-113 victory.

During Thursday's episode of NBA Today on ESPN, Udonis Haslem broke down Cunningham's game-winner over the Heat. The three-time champion mentioned that Adebayo is one of the league's best and most versatile defenders but ultimately gave the Pistons' star his flowers for hitting a big shot.

"He had to get it over 6-10 with a 7-foot-1 wingspan Bam Adebayo. One of the best five-way defenders, can guard all positions," Haslem said. "Ultimately, it was a great player making a great play at the right time."

This heroic play from Cunningham was much needed for the Pistons, as they find themselves battling for playoff positioning with less than a month to go in the season. Detroit is currently tied with the Milwaukee Bucks for the No. 5 seed and only trails the fourth-place Indiana Pacers by one-and-a-half games.

Hitting the game-winner capped off an all-around dominant night from Cunningham on Wednesday. He also recorded his ninth triple-double of the season, finishing with 25 points, 12 rebounds, and 11 assists.

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Kevin McCormick
KEVIN MCCORMICK

Since graduating from Holy Family University with a degree in Sports Management, he's gone on to pursue a career in journalism covering the NBA. Some of his previous bylines include 97.3 ESPN, ClutchPoints, and Sportskeeda.

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