Cade Cunningham helps Pistons stave off Warriors rally
Cade Cunningham had 29 points and 11 assists as the Detroit Pistons withstood a fourth-quarter rally to beat the Golden State Warriors 131-124 in San Francisco on Friday.
Jalen Duren added 21 points and 13 rebounds for the Eastern Conference-leading Pistons, who led by as many as 20 early in the third quarter. Duncan Robinson scored 15 points on five 3-pointers, Isaiah Stewart had 14 points and Tobias Harris scored 15, while Daniss Jenkins chipped in 12.
Golden State star Stephen Curry exited the game late in the third quarter with right knee soreness and did not return. Pat Spencer started the fourth quarter in place of Curry with the Warriors trailing 108-95.
Buddy Hield and Gui Santos hit back-to-back 3-pointers during a 13-2 run to cut the deficit to 117-114 with 6:19 left.
The Warriors pulled within 128-124 before Cunningham made one of two free throws with 1:19 remaining.
Golden State was held to one field goal in the final 3:24, and Harris hit two foul shots with 3.4 seconds left to secure the Pistons' 10th win in their last 13 games.
Golden State had eight players score in double figures, including Curry (23), De'Anthony Melton (18), Santos (16), Draymond Green (15) and Al Horford (13). Moses Moody and Brandin Podziemski scored 11 apiece, and Hield added 10.
Robinson made four 3-pointers in the first quarter to help give the Pistons a 45-37 lead. Detroit shot 76% from the field for the period.
The Warriors pulled within 61-56 on Santos' layup with 5:11 left in the second quarter before the Pistons took a 77-64 lead into the half after closing on a 16-8 run.
The 77 points marked the most the Warriors have allowed in any half this season. Green made four 3-pointers and had 15 points in the first half for Golden State.
Cunningham had 13 points for Detroit, which shot 62% from the field for the half.
Golden State battled back and cut the deficit to 90-81 when Curry's 3-pointer capped a 13-2 run with 6:02 left in the third quarter.