Magic-Pistons takeaways: Cade Cunningham shines, but questions remain about consistency and supporting cast
Cade Cunningham continues to shoulder the load for Detroit, going 11-of-19 in Game 2, as the Pistons look for answers around their star heading into Game 3 against the Magic. Gregory Shamus via Getty Images As Game 2 between the Detroit Pistons and Orlando Magic wrapped up, with the Pistons winning 98-83, one thing proved clear, yet again. The Pistons, the No.
1 seed in the Eastern Conference in the regular season, can either smoke teams, or find themselves in an absolute dog fight. There does not seem to be a middle ground with this group. Let's get into it.
Is this the NBA version of the Spider-Man meme? OK, this is already unfair. Detroit is a much better defensive team than Orlando, which was evident in Game 2, as they pressured the hell out of the ball, forcing turnovers, and creating good looks in transition.
Orlando can, occasionally, mimic such success, but struggle to do so consistently, which is where the two differ. Yet, they share certain strengths, and certain weaknesses, and that's why this series could have staying power. Neither team offers elite spacing, nor are they particularly efficient.
Cade Cunningham and Paolo Banchero, the two primary names for either team, have star level quality in an overall package, but both find themselves with just so-so efficiency, shooting in the mid-40s overall, and neither being strong 3-point shooters. Even Cunningham's 11-19 shooting performance in Game 2 — while impressive — isn't necessarily the norm. While this might be too simplistic, it's almost tempting to call the series winner the team who can unlock their star the quickest, with the Pistons, so far, having the better odds of doing so.