Pistons Hold Off Cavaliers In Game 2 To Take 2-0 Series Lead

After a nearly disastrous first round, the Detroit Pistons are off to a strong start in the Eastern Conference semifinals. The Pistons took a 2-0 series lead against the Cleveland Cavaliers, pulling away for a 107-97 win Thursday in Detroit.

Cade Cunningham continued to power Detroit’s postseason run, putting up 25 points and 10 assists behind another hot second half. In addition to some key 3-pointers, Cunningham went 8-for-8 on free throws, half of which came in the critical final minutes of the game. He scored 12 points in the fourth quarter to help Detroit separate in a tight game.

Detroit quickly took the lead and held it through most of the game, but it led just 79-75 after three quarters.

There was some early heat between Cavs guard James Harden and Pistons forward Ausar Thompson, with the two getting in each other’s face after Thompson got called for a foul. In the second quarter, after another scuffle with Harden, Thompson was benched after losing his cool and shoving the veteran to the ground, earning his third foul.

Thompson returned in the second half, but was taken out again after getting his fourth foul just minutes into the third quarter. He later returned again in the fourth quarter, bolstering Detroit as it defended its lead.

Meanwhile, Cleveland’s Donovan Mitchell went off in the second half to keep the Cavs close. In the fourth quarter, Evan Mobley gave Cleveland its first lead since the first points of the game.

Even with Mitchell surging, Cunningham once again came alive, hitting clutch shots to give the Pistons more breathing room.

Thompson soon picked up his fifth foul, but stayed in the game. He had an undeniable impact in the final minutes, tipping in a key bucket and forcing another turnover on Harden.

Eventually, the Cavaliers’ comeback effort simply ran out of time, even with Mitchell totaling 31 points and Jarrett Allen pitching in 22. The series heads back to Cleveland for Game 3 on Saturday.

Cunningham’s perforfmance was part of a well-rounded effort from the Pistons, with Tobias Harris adding 21 points and Daniss Jenkins scoring 14 off the bench.

The Pistons have now won five straight games after falling behind 3-1 against the No. 8 seed Magic in the first round. Four of those wins, though, were at home. The sole road win came via a historic collapse from Orlando. These next two games in Cleveland could be a challenge for Detroit, which is already in a much better position than it was last series.