Cade Cunningham - Luka Doncic debate has one clear winner, says former All-Star

Jeremy Beren

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Cade Cunningham - Luka Doncic debate has one clear winner, says former All-Star image

Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

In their first head-to-head duel of the season, Cade Cunningham overcame Luka Doncic on Tuesday night as the Detroit Pistons blew out the Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena.

Cunningham scored 27 points and handed out 11 assists in a 128-106 victory for the East-leading Pistons, while Doncic dropped 30 points and 11 assists himself -- though his contribution was muted in the second half as he battled through a shoulder injury.

MORE: Pistons' Cade Cunningham leads all NBA point guards in impressive stat

The Pistons' victory guaranteed that Detroit would end the calendar year as the top team in the Eastern Conference. Meanwhile, the Lakers continue to fade following a brilliant November; LA finished December with a 5-7 record, and they have tumbled into a virtual tie with the Minnesota Timberwolves for fifth in the Western Conference.

For former All-Star Jeff Teague, Cunningham's strong display on Tuesday -- and the quality of his performances throughout the season -- only proves that the Pistons guard is the player he'd rather have on his team as opposed to Doncic, the NBA's leading scorer.

"Cade actually plays defense, nobody says Cade is a (traffic) cone," Teague said on the Club 520 podcast. "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 f--- up. Cade can score just as good as Luka."

The defensive argument certainly leans in the direction of Cunningham and the Pistons, who rank fourth in points allowed per game and second in points allowed per 100 possessions. Doncic and the Lakers rank in the bottom half of the NBA in points allowed (17th) and in defensive rating (25th).

It goes to show where the Lakers are falling short as they continue to descend from the top of the West standings.

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