Feb 9, 2025; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Pistons head coach J.B. Bickerstaff talks with guard Cade Cunningham (2) during a Charlotte Hornets foul shot in the third quarter at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images

JB Bickerstaff's Honest Take on Cade Cunningham After Pistons-Heat

Originally posted on Detroit Pistons on SI
By Justin Grasso | Last updated Mar 20, 2025 10:33 AM ET

Since taking over the Detroit Pistons , head coach JB Bickerstaff has had full confidence in Cade Cunningham’s ability to take matters into his own hands when the game is on the line.

Despite being a young guard with a lack of experience in meaningful games, Cunningham once again proved to Bickerstaff and the rest of the Pistons’ organization that he certainly can be trusted when the game is on the line.

“I mean, you just got to get him the ball,” Bickerstaff said after Wednesday’s matchup between the Pistons and the Miami Heat. “Just get him the ball and get out of the way.”

"We told him to go win the game, and he went and got it done."

J.B. Bickerstaff reacts after Cade Cunningham's game winner in Miami #DetroitBasketball pic.twitter.com/nk1qCOY3XA
— FanDuel Sports Network Detroit (@FanDuelSN_DET) March 20, 2025

Miami Heat’s Tyler Herro managed to get to the free throw line to knock down two shots and tie up the game at 113 during the fourth quarter on Wednesday. The Pistons had one more offensive possession to put the game away or see it get sent into overtime.

Miami’s Bam Adebayo did all he could to shake up Cunningham in that moment and prevent a successful shot from getting off, but the one-time All-Star guard was able to get the ball and find just enough space to get a clean look to knock in a game-winning three.

“You try to get the ball in his hands, occupy the guys around him, and you know that Cade is going to be able to get his shot off,” Bickerstaff added. “He’s got the size, he’s got the skill, you know he’s going to get his look. We told him to go win the game, and he went and got it done.”

Trust in Cade translated to a victory for Detroit on Wednesday night. The veteran guard’s big shot helped him cap off a triple-double outing in Miami, as he scored 25 points and came down with 12 rebounds, while dishing out 11 assists.

The Pistons defeated the Heat 116-113. Miami dropped its ninth game in a row, while the Pistons tied with the fifth-seeded Milwaukee Bucks in the win column on Wednesday.

This article first appeared on Detroit Pistons on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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