Pistons Rout Knicks In East Playoff Rematch As Cade Cunningham Fuels Win

Detroit beat New York 121-90 in the first game between the teams since the Knicks ended the Pistons’ season in Game 6 of last year’s first-round play-off series. This time, Detroit turned a tight opening period into a one-sided contest and protected top spot in the Eastern Conference.

Cunningham finished with 29 points and 13 assists, controlling the offence as Detroit pulled away in each quarter. New York trailed by only one after the first, but the gap stretched to 10 at half-time and reached 20 by the end of the third, removing any real late pressure on Detroit’s rotation.

Ausar Thompson was the only other Pistons starter in double figures, scoring 10 points and collecting seven rebounds, while East-leading Detroit moved to 27-9 and used many reserves in the second half. Javonte Green added 17 points from the bench and Jaden Ivey contributed 16, helping close the game as the starters rested.

Jalen Brunson led New York with 25 points but committed six turnovers and recorded no assists, underlining the team’s offensive struggles. The Knicks slipped to 23-13 with a fourth straight defeat and dropped from second to third in the Eastern Conference standings as the Boston Celtics moved ahead.

The Denver Nuggets claimed a 125-124 overtime victory at the Philadelphia 76ers despite missing every opening-night starter. Jalen Pickett hit seven three-pointers and finished with a team-best 29 points, while Bruce Brown made the decisive driving layup with five seconds remaining in overtime to seal the road win.

Denver improved to 24-12 while again coping without Nikola Jokic and Michael Porter Jr., who remained sidelined with long-term injuries. Jamal Murray rested after playing 40 minutes on Sunday with an ankle issue, and Aaron Gordon plus Christian Braun, who both returned from lengthy absences on Sunday, sat out the second night of the back-to-back.

Peyton Watson supplied 24 points and seven rebounds for Denver, and Zeke Nnaji scored 21 from the bench to maintain scoring depth. For Philadelphia, Joel Embiid posted 32 points and 10 rebounds, Tyrese Maxey added 28 points and four steals, yet the 76ers slipped to 19-15 after failing to close out several late possessions.

Kevin Durant game-winner highlights Rockets vs Suns NBA results

Durant decided the Houston Rockets’ 100-97 win over the Phoenix Suns with a tie-breaking three-pointer with 1.1 seconds left against Durant’s former team. Durant had struggled badly from long range, missing 10 of his first 11 attempts from deep before making the decisive shot that completed his night.

Durant ended with 26 points, 10 rebounds and four assists as Houston moved to 22-11 and stayed perfect at 3-0 against Phoenix this season. Jabari Smith Jr. and Amen Thompson scored 17 points each, but Houston’s defence and control on the glass were just as important throughout the second half.

Phoenix built a 13-point lead during the third quarter but managed only 37 points after half-time and was out-rebounded 51-40. Devin Booker led the Suns, now 21-15, with 27 points, while Dillon Brooks and Royce O’Neale each contributed 15, yet Phoenix could not answer Durant’s late three.

The results left Detroit strengthening its position near the top of the East, New York sliding after a four-game skid, Denver surviving a demanding schedule without key names, and Houston extending strong form against Phoenix, offering another busy night of shifting NBA form lines for followers across the region.