Cunningham, Butler both get triple-doubles in Pistons' OT win

Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) passes in overtime against the Miami Heat at Little Caesars Arena. Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

Cade Cunningham, Jimmy Butler both get triple-doubles in Pistons' OT win

By Andrew Kulha | Last updated Dec 16, 2024 10:47 PM ET

There were two stars on the floor on Monday night when the Detroit Pistons took on the Miami Heat, and for the first time in a long time, the winning star was on Detroit's side.

There's something in the water in Detroit with the Lions and Tigers both fielding a playoff contender, and perhaps Cade Cunningham and the Pistons are looking to get into the mix as well.

They certainly beat a playoff contender on Tuesday, taking Jimmy Butler and the Heat to overtime and ultimately winning, 125-124, off the strength of a trio of three-pointers from veteran Tim Hardaway Jr. in the overtime session.

Hardaway finished with 16 points on 5-of-11 shooting but he came up big when it mattered.

Speaking of coming up big, Cunningham notched his sixth triple-double of the season by pouring in 20 points with a career-high 18 assists and 11 rebounds.

18 assist CAREER-HIGH for No. 2

Cade Cunningham led the @DetroitPistons in an overtime win against the Heat ✨ pic.twitter.com/74pU6niB4N
— NBA TV (@NBATV) December 17, 2024

While Cunningham is an up-and-coming superstar, Butler has been doing this for quite some time. He had a game-high 35 points with 19 rebounds and 10 assists for Miami.

Jimmy Butler lost a shoe, but got the bucket to go to give him 35 points

Heat and Pistons are going at it in the extra session!pic.twitter.com/DUIZsILE6R
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) December 17, 2024

The Pistons still aren't great but their 11-16 record is much improved from last season, when they won a total of 14 games. The Heat fell to 13-11 with the loss.

Andrew Kulha

Andrew Kulha is probably the only sports writer you know who also doubles as a mortician. Spooky! @KulhaSports

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