Carmelo Anthony responds to Cade Cunningham after interaction in Game 2: “It’s a respect thing”

Cade Cunningham was the star player at Madison Square Garden on Monday night as he scored 33 points with Dennis Schroder hitting the tiebreaking 3-pointer with 55.7 seconds left as the visiting Detroit Pistons levelled their Eastern Conference first-round series, escaping with a physical 100-94 Game 2 victory over the New York Knicks.

After struggling through a rough playoff debut on Saturday when the Pistons let an eight point lead slip in the fourth quarter and were outscored 40-21, Cunningham delivered a masterful performance with 11-of-21 shooting from the field and helped Detroit overcome 37 points by New York star Jalen Brunson.

Even with Cunningham’s big showing, the Pistons nearly did not do enough to avoid folding down the stretch as they blew a 13-point lead, getting outscored 19-6 in a span of 5:55.

“It’s a great feeling,” Cunningham said. “It feels good to represent the city like we did tonight. It’s something that the city’s been waiting on for a long time, so we feel good about it.”

Game 3 now moves to Motor City.

Fallout from Monday night

One of the talking points that emerged from the game hinged around a moment in the third quarter as Cunningham dunked for the Pistons and immediately pointed at Carmelo Anthony, who was sitting courtside. Naturally, the gesture didn’t go unnoticed by the retired player who addressed the matter on his podcast 7PM in Brooklyn.

“It’s a respect thing,” Carmelo said about Cade’s gesture. “I wear multiple hats. I wear the hat of representing New York, the Knicks; I wear the hat of being a player who played for the Knicks; and I also wear the hat of someone who (expletive) with this generation and talent.”

The 40-year-old did take time out to praise Cunningham’s play: “He got everything. He’s a 6’6 point guard, big guard ability. I see him starting to get down there in the post. If he gets a couple one-twos out of that post… He just fits so seamlessly into what Detroit has going on.”

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