Thompson’s Defense Key In Game 5 Win
Photo: Special to the NY Beacon
By Shara Taylor Taylor
Cunningham Hits Key Free Throws ln Game 5
Photo: Special to the NY Beacon
The Detroit Pistons forced another game in their series against the New York Knicks after outplaying them 106-103 in game 5 of the NBA Eastern Conference playoffs at Madison Square Garden Tuesday night.
The Pistons were ahead most of the first quarter, but the Knicks hit the right shots to regain the lead by the buzzer and battled equally in the second quarter. Detroit, who bested New York in three of four games during the regular season, demonstrated that same tenacity and determination when they returned from halftime, regained and kept the lead in the third quarter and stayed competitive in the fourth quarter.
“It’s the personality and character of this group and I’m not surprised,” coach J. B. Bickerstaff said about his team. “This is what they’ve always shown to be and this is what we expected from them tonight.”
Bickerstaff talked about the importance of pacing in the fourth quarter in his pregame interview and also about the need to limit turnovers. The Pistons had 17 turnovers in game 4 and had 13 in game 5. The Knicks had 10 turnovers in game 4 and 13 in game 5.
Bickerstaff credited Ausar Thompson’s defense and the ability of Cade Cunningham to get to the free throw line as important factors in their win. Cunningham led Detroit with 24 points and eight assists and had two steals and one blocked shot; Thompson added 22 points and two blocked shots; and Long Island native Tobias Harris added 17 points, two steals, and four blocked shots.
Bickerstaff stressed the value Harris brings to the team. “He’s our safety blanket,” Bickerstaff said. “He is reliable. He’s dependable. He understands what needs to happen in the moment.”
Harris said there was no pressure coming into this game, even though it was a potential elimination game. He said the team enjoys being around each other and wants to keep fighting. Harris also said there was no pressure playing in front of friends and family.
“Being able to go out there and play the sport that I love and have the joy and be able to compete with this group and see my parents up there family and friends, it’s no pressure, it’s just a joy now,” he said.
Detroit trailed 23-22 at the end of the first quarter and 50-49 at halftime. They took a 54-53 lead in the third quarter after a three pointer from Tim Hardaway Jr. and kept the lead ending ahead 77-74. Both teams battled in the fourth quarter, each scoring 29 points. Detroit led 104-103 with about 5.1 seconds left in the game when a foul by Jalen Brunson sent Cunningham to the free throw line, where he made both shots, the last of the game.
“We had nothing to lose,” Thompson said about not feeling pressure from the game.
He said they feed off the energy from the fans. “Whether we’re at home, whether we’re away, feed off the positive energy, feed off the negative energy, we just go out there and play,” he said.
Now they have an opportunity to play game 6 at home tonight.
“We got an opportunity to go home play in a game six and, in front of our crowd, which I know will be awesome,” Bickerstaff said.
Detroit returns home with down 3-2 in the series.
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