Pistons’ Cade Cunningham reveals win-or-go-home Game 5 mindset

The Detroit Pistons and Cade Cunningham faced fierce criticism in falling 3-1 to the Orlando Magic. Game 5 left Cunningham and company in win-or-go-home mode Wednesday in the NBA Playoffs.

Detroit staved off elimination, hanging on for the 116-109 win at Little Caesars Arena. So how did the perennial NBA All-Star Cunningham approach this contest?

“Going into the game I wanted to have a controlled aggression all night,” Cunningham said via Detroit Free Press Pistons reporter Omari Sankofa II. “Just my mentality and the way I prepare my mind going into the game all day allowed for what I thought and what I prepared to happen and come for me. Just have to keep it coming now.”

Cunningham channeled an attack mode right away. Especially in grabbing his own rebound and delivering the left-handed dunk during the first quarter.

Cade Cunningham gets the rebound and TAKES it in pic.twitter.com/R8zaqRzNzr

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Orlando struggled to contain him throughout the night, even from deep.

Cade Cunningham drills it from DEEP

He has 30 points and 4-of-5 from three midway through the 3rd quarter.pic.twitter.com/KfIS67rHml

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Cunningham dropped 37 points through the first three quarters of play to go along with four rebounds. He banked five baskets from behind the arc before the fourth quarter arrived.

He also hit from midcourt with 31 seconds left and nailed 14-of-14 shots at the free throw line…which Cunningham takes to heart.

“I have missed too many free throws this series,” Cunningham admitted via Sankofa. “Definitely had to lock in on that. The shot, I was just thanking the Lord for this day and thankful to have the opportunity to do and make plays on the biggest stage.”

Cunningham more important keeps Detroit’s season alive by dropping 45 points in 44 minutes. The series shifts back to the Kia Center on Friday with the Magic now holding a 3-2 lead.

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