Cade Cunningham and Luka Doncic finally shared the floor this season on Tuesday night, and the result added fresh fuel to a debate that former All Star Jeff Teague believes already has clarity, per Yahoo. The Detroit Pistons routed the Los Angeles Lakers 128-106 at Crypto.com Arena, riding Cunningham’s two way control and late game composure to another statement win.
Cunningham finished with 27 points and 11 assists as Detroit overwhelmed Los Angeles with physicality and ball pressure. Doncic matched him statistically with 30 points and 11 assists, but his impact faded after halftime while he played through a shoulder issue. The Pistons seized momentum early in the second quarter, pushed the pace, and repeatedly attacked the paint as the Lakers struggled to generate consistent stops.
Detroit closed the third quarter strong after Doncic picked up a technical foul, then capitalized on careless Lakers turnovers early in the fourth to turn the game into a blowout, LakersNation reports. The win locked the Pistons in as the top team in the Eastern Conference heading into the end of the calendar year. Los Angeles, meanwhile, wrapped December with a 5-7 mark and continued sliding after a strong November.
Teague Breaks Down the Cade vs. Luka Debate
For Teague, Cunningham’s performance only reinforced a stance he has already made clear. Speaking on the Club 520 podcast, the former All Star explained why he would choose Cunningham over Doncic’s if given the option to build a team.
“Cade actually plays defense, nobody says Cade is a traffic cone,” Teague said. “I think Luka one of the greatest offensive talents we’ve ever seen. It’s too glaring. When everybody in the world knows you’re not gonna stop anybody, it’s kinda messed up. Cade can score just as good as Luka.”
Teague credited Doncic’s offensive brilliance while stressing that Cunningham’s two way reliability separates him. The argument centers on balance rather than raw scoring totals. Cunningham pressures ball handlers, competes defensively, and still orchestrates Detroit’s offense at a high level. Teague views that combination as more sustainable, especially when games tighten late.
Tuesday night offered a live example. Cunningham dictated tempo, picked his spots, and helped Detroit pull away during decisive stretches. Doncic delivered offensively but could not shift the flow once the Pistons ramped up their defensive intensity.
Defense Highlights Gap Between Detroit and Lakers
The broader team context strengthens Teague’s point. Detroit ranks among the league’s best defensive units, sitting near the top in both points allowed per game and points allowed per 100 possessions. Cunningham anchors that approach from the guard spot, setting a tone that carries through the lineup.
Los Angeles tells a different story. The Lakers sit in the bottom half of the league in points allowed and near the bottom in defensive rating. Those shortcomings surfaced again as Detroit repeatedly punished breakdowns, forced turnovers, and controlled the paint during key runs.
For Teague, that contrast explains why the Cade versus Luka discussion extends beyond highlights and box scores. Cunningham’s willingness to defend aligns with winning habits, while Doncic’s defensive limitations continue to draw attention when games swing on effort and execution.
Detroit’s latest win served as another reminder that Cunningham’s impact reaches both ends of the floor. As the Pistons keep stacking results, Teague’s stance looks less like a hot take and more like a reflection of how modern stars get evaluated.
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