DETROIT — The game was over, but less than an hour after the Pistons’ 104–103 win over Boston on Monday, Cade Cunningham shuffled into the postgame interview room looking like a man still feeling it. The All-Star guard—nay, starting All-Star guard, as the NBA revealed earlier in the day—had played 40 grueling minutes, grinding out possessions against Jaylen Brown, chasing the Celtics’ three-point shooters, meeting its guards at the rim. During one fourth-quarter break, a Detroit trainer pressed a hot pack against Cunningham’s ribs. “A 48-minute battle,” Cunningham said. “Both teams really came with it.”
The NBA season just passed its midway point. But this game had a decided playoff vibe. It was the fourth meeting between the top two teams in the East, and any friendliness has long gone. There were no pregame handshakes. No high fives. No daps. Neemias Queta and Jalen Duren grappled before the opening tip. Isaiah Stewart checked in for Detroit with five minutes remaining in the first quarter. Within a minute, he and Brown were slapped with double techs for a shoving match.
