Pistons surge past Cavaliers to take Game 1 of East semifinals
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The Detroit Pistons opened the Eastern Conference semifinals with a 111-101 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday night, seizing an early lead in the best-of-seven series at Little Caesars Arena.
Detroit raced to a 37-21 advantage in the first quarter and never trailed, though Cleveland drew even at 93-all with 5:28 remaining. The Pistons answered with seven straight points and closed out the game behind a string of decisive plays from center Jalen Duren, who blocked a James Harden shot and then dunked on three consecutive possessions, each fed by Cade Cunningham.
Cunningham led five Pistons starters in double figures, finishing with 23 points and seven assists. Tobias Harris scored 20, while Duncan Robinson hit five three-pointers on his way to 19. The win snapped Detroit’s 12-game postseason skid against Cleveland, a streak that stretched back to the 2007 conference finals, and gave the franchise its first series lead since the 2008 East semifinals.
“Playing in three elimination games last round taught us the importance of starting fast and finishing strong,” head coach J.B. Bickerstaff said, referencing the Pistons’ comeback from a 3-1 deficit against Orlando in the opening round.
Both clubs advanced Sunday after Game 7 wins, but Cleveland’s backcourt could not shake its opening-round struggles. Donovan Mitchell scored 23 points on 9-of-19 shooting, ending his NBA-record streak of nine straight series openers with at least 30 points. Harden added 22 but committed seven turnovers as part of the Cavaliers’ 19 giveaways, which Detroit converted into 29 points.
“My turnovers were the difference,” Harden said. “If we just get shots on the rim, it’s a different ballgame.”
Game 2 is scheduled for Thursday night in Detroit.
Source: ESPN
