Cade

Cunningham

Gilgeous-Alexander and Jokić were first-team selections on all 100 ballots, while Wembanyama was selected on 99. Unsurprisingly, they were the three finalists for league MVP, with Gilgeous-Alexander winning the award for a second consecutive season. Dončić and Cunningham, who needed waivers from the league to be eligible for postseason honors, round out the first team.

Efficiency was an issue for Cunningham throughout the Cleveland series, but he had his worst showing in Game 7. While the Pistons’ point guard committed a respectable three turnovers, he was 0-of-7 from beyond the arc. Given Detroit’s limitations on offense, they can’t afford for Cunningham not to be at his best when the lights shine brightest. However, the end should not take away from Cade’s play throughout the season. A likely All-NBA selection, he offers first-round fantasy value in formats that either don’t count or punt turnovers.

Cunningham did not deliver the cleanest performance on Friday, committing seven turnovers, but his play was good enough to help the Pistons force a decisive Game 7 on Sunday. The Pistons’ star didn’t have the best night shooting-wise, either, but that was unsurprising based on how Cunningham has played throughout the series. In the first five games, he shot 41.7 percent from the field and was slightly worse in Game 6. But the Pistons’ “others” stepped up, and now Cunningham and company will host a Game 7 for the second time this postseason.

The Pistons led by nine with three minutes left in regulation, but blew that lead and lost by four in overtime. Cunningham dropped 39 points in Game 5, but it wasn’t enough as the Pistons fell behind 3-2 in the series. After a Donovan Mitchell three-pointer gave the Cavaliers a five-point lead in overtime, Cunningham committed one of his six turnovers. Max Strus picked his pocket in the backcourt and found Mitchell streaking in for a layup to put the Cavs up by seven, effectively putting the game on ice.

Cunningham logged his least impressive stat line of the series on Monday. In his 39 minutes, he tallied five or more assists for the third consecutive game and was held under 20 points for the first time this postseason. Cunningham’s six assists were unspectacular, more than insignificant. However, he didn’t have his usual impact in Monday’s loss. Detroit will be counting on its All-Star guard to lead the way in Game 5.

Cunningham finished Game 3 with the second triple-double of his postseason career. However, similar to the first, which was recorded in Game 4 of last year’s first-round series against the Knicks, turnovers were a problem. Cunningham racked up eight turnovers on Saturday, including two on consecutive possessions late in the fourth quarter. Detroit still had chances to win Game 3, a testament to the positives Cunningham brought to the table. However, they need to find a way to take some of the pressure off their playmaker, as inconsistent production from anyone other than Tobias Harris doesn’t do Cunningham any favors. Game 4 is on Monday night, with Detroit holding a 2-1 series lead.

Cunningham closed the show with a stellar 12-point fourth quarter in Thursday’s contest to help the Pistons take a 2-0 series lead, with his late three-pointer to put Detroit up by nine points with 2:12 left serving as the dagger. He’d ultimately finish with more points and assists than in Game 1, while his three stocks in 42 minutes were also noteworthy. Cunningham has been fantastic throughout the postseason and will have a chance to remain productive in Game 3.

Despite not shooting the basketball well, Cunningham was plenty effective in Game 1. He was a plus-12 in his 42 minutes of game action, which concluded as one of Detroit’s best. He, unsurprisingly, was the Pistons’ leader in assists and was one of only two players to make multiple three-point shots on the evening. Cunngham’s numbers on Tuesday pale in comparison to some of the final lines he notched in the opening round against the Magic, bu he’ll have a chance to get back on track in Game 2.

Huerter missed the final three games of the Pistons’ first-round series against the Magic. His absence factored into Cade Cunningham’s playing time increasing, but Detroit was also looking to erase a 3-1 deficit. If Huerter can’t play on Tuesday, it’s possible that Daniss Jenkins and Javonte Green are asked to play more.

Cunningham was sensational, once again, on Sunday. He logged a second consecutive 32-point outing, this time adding a series-best 12 assists to help the Pistons reel off three straight wins to save their season. The former first-overall pick averaged 36.3 points in the three elimination games and scored at least 30 points in more than half of the seven games. Cunningham’s versatility undoubtedly is the driving force of this Pistons offense — Detroit will count on him to lead the way offensively in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.