This is an article version of the CBS Sports HQ AM Newsletter, the ultimate guide to every day in sports. You can sign up to get it in your inbox every weekday morning here.
š Good morning to all but, especially to ā¦
THE LA CLIPPERS AND THE DETROIT PISTONS
Maybe we forgot, after years of injuries and disappointments, just how good Kawhi Leonard can be when his body cooperates. If you needed a reminder, I hope you watched Game 2. The Clippers beat the Nuggets,Ā 105-102, to even the series behind Leonardās all-timer.
Here are the numbers: 39 points on 15 for 19 (79%) shooting. Itās the second-highest field goal percentage in a 35+ point playoff game in franchise history.Itās also Leonardās fourth career 30-point playoff game on 75% shooting. Only James Worthy has more in NBA history.But the numbers donāt do it justice. How he got those numbers ā tough shot after tough shot, often over an elite defender in Aaron Gordon ā was an enthralling experience.
Hereās Sam Quinn on Leonardās masterpiece.
The Clippers werenāt the only team to tie their series.
Entering Monday, the Pistons hadnāt won a playoff game since Cade Cunningham was six years old. But now, after a tough playoff introduction, Cunningham and his teammates are all grown up. The Pistons beat the Knicks,Ā 100-94, behind a Cunningham bounce back and, finally, some clutch shots and defensive stands.
Detroitās win snaps a 15-game playoff losing streak, the longest in NBA history.
Cunningham had 33 points and 12 rebounds, but it wasĀ Dennis Schroder who delivered a 3-pointer with under a minute left to put Detroit up 97-94.
And what a relief it was. In Game 1, Detroit led most of the way but completely collapsed, surrendering a 21-0 fourth-quarter run. In Game 2, Detroit ledā¦
Source link : https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/kawhi-leonard-cade-cunningham-lead-clippers-pistons-shedeur-sanders-falling-out-of-the-first-round/
Author : Zachary Pereles
Publish date : 2025-04-22 13:03:00
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.
