Cade Cunningham sends critical message after Pistons' Game 3 loss to Cavaliers

The Detroit Pistons were hoping to go 3-0 in their series against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday in the Eastern Conference semifinals, but instead, the Cavs gave their hometown crowd a show in a 116-109 victory.

Now, the series is 2-1, and a comeback is certainly doable for the Cavs.

James Harden, following two less-than-stellar performances, came through on Saturday, clocking 19 points, seven assists and two rebounds in 39 minutes, especially when it mattered most in the fourth quarter of the game.

But ask Pistons star guard Cade Cunningham about the loss, and he'll tell you that he isn't worried.

Cade Cunningham reacts to Pistons' Game 3 loss to Cavs

Speaking to reporters after the game, Cunningham was quick to pump his team up.

"We let them get to their stuff a little too freely,” Cunningham said via Hunter Patterson of The Athletic. "In the third quarter, I thought we did a lot better job until the end of the fourth, when they kind of got back to it. But that third quarter was really good as far as executing what we’ve been doing."

Cunningham has reason to brag even after the loss. During the game, he recorded 27 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists and one steal. He also shot 33.3% from three.

Also speaking after the game, Cunningham sent a strong message, and it was one of hope.

"There's definitely optimism," Cunningham said. "We feel great about where we're at. We feel great about the way we're playing basketball.... We'll execute better and pull these games out in the future. Tough one, obviously, we wish we had grabbed this one. It is what it is, learn from it."

The Pistons have a good reason not to be worried about this loss. They came back from a 3-1 deficit against the Orlando Magic in the previous series, so they know that grit and determination it takes to dig themselves out of a hole. They aren't worried, and the Pistons' followers shouldn't be, either.