By ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: 23:10 EDT, 17 March 2025 | Updated: 23:10 EDT, 17 March 2025
NEW ORLEANS (AP) - Cade Cunningham had 24 points and eight assists, and the Detroit Pistons routed the New Orleans Pelicans 127-81 on Monday night.
Simone Fontecchio scored 23 points for Detroit, which had dropped four of six.
Zion Williamson had 30 points for New Orleans, and Yves Missi finished with 12 points, 10 rebounds and two blocks. Williamson also grabbed six rebounds and blocked two shots.
The Pelicans lost for the seventh time in eight games.
Cunningham scored 17 points to help Detroit to a 63-32 halftime lead. Fontecchio had 18 points in the second half.
Pistons: Fontecchio delivered an efficient performance in a reserve role. He went 5 for 5 from beyond the arc and 9 for 10 from the field overall. He also grabbed seven rebounds in 21 1/2 minutes.
Detroit Pistons guard Dennis Schroeder (17) tries to drive past New Orleans Pelicans guard Antonio Reeves (12) in the second half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Monday, March 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Peter Forest)
Pelicans: It was a bad shooting night in a variety of ways. The Pelicans shot 32.6% from the field, including a 5-for-32 from 3-point range. They went 20 for 30 at the free-throw line.
The Pistons grabbed control with a 24-5 run that began in the first quarter and carried over into the second. Dennis Schroder´s driving layup made it 41-14 with 10:21 left in the first half.
Led by Fontecchio and Jalen Duren, the Pistons had a 50-39 rebounding advantage.
The Pistons visit the Miami Heat on Wednesday night. Next up for the Pelicans is two straight games at the Minnesota Timberwolves, beginning on Wednesday night.
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
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AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba
Detroit Pistons forward Ronald Holland II (00) attempts a dunk over New Orleans Pelicans center Karlo Matkovic (17) in the second half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Monday, March 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Peter Forest)
Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) shoots a jumper against New Orleans Pelicans forward Bruce Brown (00) in the second half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Monday, March 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Peter Forest)
Detroit Pistons forward Simone Fontecchio (19) shoots a 3-pointer over New Orleans Pelicans forward Jeremiah Robinson-Earl (50) in the second half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Monday, March 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Peter Forest)
New Orleans Pelicans center Yves Missi (21) tries to block a shot by Detroit Pistons forward Tim Hardaway Jr. (8) in the second half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Monday, March 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Peter Forest)
New Orleans Pelicans center Yves Missi (21) blocks a shot by Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) in the second half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Monday, March 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Peter Forest)