LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - AUGUST 08: Cade Cunningham #2 of the Detroit Pistons grabs a loose ball against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the 2021 NBA Summer League at the Thomas & Mack Center on August 8, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Thunder defeated the Pistons 76-72. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - AUGUST 08: Cade Cunningham #2 of the Detroit Pistons grabs a loose ball against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the 2021 NBA Summer League at the Thomas & Mack Center on August 8, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Thunder defeated the Pistons 76-72. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

Detroit Pistons

Pistons: 3 things to watch for against the Rockets in Summer League

by Duncan Smith Follow @DuncanSmithNBA
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Pistons (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

At long last, the Detroit Pistons were able to feature No. 1 overall pick Cade Cunningham on Sunday night in the Las Vegas Summer League.

That game against the OKC Thunder went about as badly as possible after the first quarter and the Pistons ended up losing in a low-scoring, poor-shooting 76-72 battle. The Pistons get their shot at Vegas redemption on Tuesday night against the Houston Rockets and the No. 2 overall pick Jalen Green.

In advance of this marquee matchup, let’s get ready with three key things to watch for in Game 2 of the Las Vegas Summer League for both teams.

What to watch for when the Pistons play the Rockets: 1. Cade Cunningham versus Jalen Green, Round 1

There may be a healthy little rivalry fomenting between the Pistons and Rockets, and Cade Cunningham and Jalen Green. Not short on confidence, Green believed himself to be worthy of the top pick in the draft and wants to show the Pistons, the only team to pass on him, that he’s the best player in this draft, not Cunningham.

Conversely, Cunningham was the top pick and was expected to be for the entire season and then some, so he has a throne to protect as that consensus No. 1. While Cunningham will likely come out with the same approach he had in the first game against the Thunder, looking to set his teammates up for success, don’t be surprised if Green takes the burden on his shoulders in this game.

Does any of this matter? Not at all. This matchup is a fun sideshow (and smart of the NBA to schedule) to the actual nitty-gritty purpose of Summer League. Enjoy the festivities, but don’t get carried away with the narratives that are sure to arise from this game.

Next: Will the Pistons stagger Cade Cunningham and Killian Hayes?

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