Maybe it wasn’t as big as Vinnie Johnson’s 00.7 shot vs. Portland in the ’90 NBA finals, or Chauncey Billups’ half-court heave off glass vs. the Nets that helped propel the Pistons to the ‘04 NBA title.
But you’ve got to admit, Dennis Schroder’s three-pointer Monday against the Knicks was a close facsimile. And to think, the Golden State Warriors were willing to give the Pistons a second-round draft pick to get rid of Schroder’s contract in the Jimmy Butler trade.
It was an incredible shot, coming as the Knicks were roaring back and seemingly ready to wipe out a big Pistons’ lead for the second game in a row.
Give Pistons' shot-caller Trajan Langdon credit. He didn’t just sit on his hands after Jaden Ivey was lost for the season because of injury. He didn’t just lean on the ready-made excuse that his team is young. He went out and got another veteran who can play, and fits the team’s “dawg” mold.
Schroder didn’t hesitate to throw up the key shot, which gave the Pistons a three-point lead with 55.1 seconds left. He also made a key free throw with eight seconds remaining to put the Pistons up four and all but seal the game.
Just as importantly, Schroder, on his NBA ninth team, has provided more sandpaper for a squad building its identity along the same lines as the great Pistons teams of the past.
They are tough and play with purpose. Holding the Knicks to 94 points in a playoff game in Madison Square Garden is quite a feat. It wasn’t one of those smooth games during which everything flowed the Pistons’ way. The Knicks played exceptionally physical basketball. Schroder was 3-of-5 from three-point range, the rest of the team 3-of-22.
The Pistons had to take the ball to the rim, which they did well enough, combined with a superior defensive performance, to win.
Cade Cunningham displayed he is designed for playoff basketball. He was bumped and harassed all night, but responded well to the bully ball. He had 33 points and 12 rebounds. He made 10-of-12 foul shots.
Cunningham has become more proficient shooting threes, and obviously is an excellent passer. Yet, his greatest strength at this time of year is his mid-range game. There are times in the postseason when a star must create his own shot under intense defensive and scoreboard pressure. Cunningham delivered Monday.
Now let the frenzy begin. The Pistons, who won their first playoff game since 2008, are more than just a nice turnaround story. They are a solid NBA team.
Maybe better than any of us could have imagined, and far sooner.
Sure looked like it Monday night.