ORLANDO, Fla. – Detroit Pistons star Cade Cunningham described a “never-say-die” mentality Friday night after leading one of the most dramatic comebacks of his young career, a 24-point rally that silenced the Orlando Magic and forced a winner-take-all Game 7.
The Pistons trailed by as many as 24 points before erupting on a 42-10 run, capped by a defensive stretch in which Orlando missed 23 consecutive shots.
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Cunningham said the rally came down to belief and execution after a lopsided first half left his team searching for answers.
“Fight to see another day, never say die mentality,” Cunningham said. “We weren’t going to lay down for anything.”
Chip away, trust the defense
The message at halftime was simple, Cunningham said: stay together, chip away, and trust their defense to create offense.
“We still believed we could get back in the game and win,” Cunningham said. “It was just going to be by chipping away, cutting it to 11, then six, then taking the lead.”
Cunningham said the team’s ability to remain composed under pressure was rooted in its season-long identity, even as the Magic controlled large stretches early.
He pointed to communication in the locker room and a renewed focus on defensive intensity as the foundation of the comeback.
“Just staying poised, sticking with what we were doing,” Cunningham said. “Winning with our defense and staying in the moment.”
Defense changes everything
Detroit’s defensive turnaround proved decisive.
Cunningham said the group locked into its scheme, improved its rebounding, and began forcing difficult shots that fueled transition opportunities.
“Whenever we really lock in on our defense, it’s tough for them to score on us,” Cunningham said. “That was the mentality at halftime.”
Cunningham also praised the impact of reserve big man Paul Reed, calling him a stabilizing force who consistently changes the game with effort plays and physicality.
“He imposes himself on the game,” Cunningham said. “He gets offensive rebounds, gives us extra possessions, he’s like a safety blanket for us.”
‘None of this matters if we don’t go win Game 7’
As the Pistons surged late, Cunningham said confidence never wavered, even as the deficit remained daunting early in the second half.
“It keeps us alive, allows us to fight another day,” Cunningham said. “But none of this matters if we don’t go win Game 7.”
The victory gives Detroit momentum heading into Sunday’s winner-take-all matchup, but Cunningham was quick to emphasize the job is far from finished.
“We’ll be back at home, a lot of energy,” Cunningham said. “But it’s about finishing the job.”
Game 7 tips off Sunday at 3:30 p.m. at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit.
--> Head coach J.B. Bickerstaff praises Detroit Pistons’ grit after 24-point rally forces Game 7