The Cleveland Cavaliers squandered a strong start and dropped a 114–110 decision to the first-place Detroit Pistons on their home floor, a result that underscored the gap between the two Eastern Conference clubs.
Cleveland forced seven turnovers and limited Detroit to 19 points in the opening quarter, but the visitors seized control in the second period, pouring in 47 points and outscoring the Cavaliers by 19. From that point forward, Detroit never trailed.
Key numbers
- Pistons points in the paint: 40
- Detroit offensive rebounds: 14
- Cavaliers points in the paint: 30
- Final score: Detroit 114, Cleveland 110
Guard Cade Cunningham paced Detroit (26-9) with 27 points. Rookie Ausar Thompson’s late offensive rebound and put-back in the final minute provided the decisive cushion.
Donovan Mitchell led Cleveland (20-17) with 30 points, while Darius Garland contributed 16. The Cavaliers played without injured big men Jarrett Allen and Dean Wade, and their absence was felt inside as Detroit generated repeated second-chance opportunities.
Cleveland pulled even briefly in the third quarter behind 13 points from Mitchell, but Detroit answered each rally and protected the lead down the stretch.
The Cavaliers travel to Indiana for their next game on Tuesday.
Source: Hoops Wire
