Pistons' Cunningham scores 36 points, but misses shot at buzzer in loss to Grizzlies

Detroit — The Pistons aren't competing for a playoff spot, but Monty Williams wants his team to compete for every possession until the final game has been played this season.

Cade Cunningham has taken that message to heart, especially on the offensive end, as he reached the 30-point mark for the third consecutive game in another dramatic game for the Pistons. However, despite a team-high 36 points, the Pistons' guard couldn't lead his team to back-to-back victories in a 110-108 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies.

After leading by as many as 15 points, the home team found itself engaged in a back-and-forth affair late in the fourth quarter. Cunningham made one of his biggest plays of the night by finding Evan Fournier for his first 3-pointer of the game with 4:22 left. One play later, Cunningham tied the game at 104 with a 3-pointer of his own as the shot clock expired as Fournier returned the favor.

The Pistons were at the wrong end of two missed corner 3-pointers when they needed them most. Trailing 110-108 on both occasions, Jaden Ivey was the recipient of the first open 3-pointer created by Cunningham in the corner with 1:43 left, but couldn't knock down the shot that could've given Detroit the lead. The Grizzlies packed the paint and forced Cunningham to pass to Chimezie Metu with less than a minute remaining, but the Pistons big man couldn't convert.

BOX SCORE: Grizzlies 110, Pistons 108

Cunningham had an opportunity to win the game at the buzzer but missed a jumper off the glass as time expired. The Pistons dropped to 13-62.

"Cade made the right plays," Pistons coach Monty Williams said. "Down the stretch, I told him, 'You're going to win us a playoff game in that situation.' He comes down, he gets the last-second shot. It just didn't go for him. I was OK with those looks."

Nearly every shot Cunningham launched towards the rim's direction went through the basket. Midrange shots. Layups. Three-pointers. He finished 13-of-22 on the night, including 3-of-4 from beyond the arc.

While Cunningham spent most of the game having his way against the shorthanded Grizzlies, Jaren Jackson Jr. proved to be a handful to contain for the Pistons. Jackson had 36 points and eight rebounds and had an efficient night of 13-of-22 from the field.

Pistons center Jalen Duren had a brief stint in Monday's game. At the 6:55 mark of the first quarter, the second-year center collided face-first with Jackson Jr. As a result, Duren lost a tooth and walked directly to the locker room. He did not return to the game as he was ruled out with a mouth injury shortly before the half. He was scoreless with just one rebound and one assist.

The Pistons have just one game remaining at Little Caesars Arena. They will embark on a four-game road trip before returning to Detroit for the home finale against the Chicago Bulls on April 11.

mcurtis@detroitnews.com

@MikeACurtis2