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 lead in the series against the Cleveland Cavaliers, holding off the Cavs for a 107-97 win in Game 2.
Cade Cunningham continued to power Detroit’s postseason run, putting up 25 points behind another hot second half. Meanwhile, Pistons forward Ausar Thompson made key plays through foul trouble in the final minutes of the win.
Both teams struggled with consistent shooting, even as Detroit controlled nearly the entire game. Though Cleveland scored the first basket of the night, Detroit quickly took the lead and held it through the first half.
There was some early heat between Cavs guard James Harden and Thompson, with the veteran and the young’un getting in each other’s face after Thompson got called for a foul. In the second quarter, after another scuffle with Harden, Thompson picked up his third foul after losing his cool and shoving Harden to the ground. As a result, Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff benched the third-year forward for the rest of the half.
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 they tried to defend the lead.
Meanwhile, Donovan Mitchell went off in the second half, pushing against the Pistons’ narrow lead. Finally, in the fourth quarter, Evan Mobley gave Cleveland its first lead since the first points of the game.
However, a few big three-pointers from Cunningham and Duncan Robinson gave the Pistons back their lead, with Detroit looking determined to keep it despite the surging Mitchell.
Cunningham once again came alive in the fourth, hitting key three-pointers and free throws to give the Pistons just a little more breathing room.
Thompson stayed in after picking up his fifth foul, and had an undeniable impact in the final minutes of the win, tipping in a key bucket and forcing another turnover on Harden.
Eventually, the Cavaliers’ comeback effort simply ran out of time. Detroit defended well to hold the 10-point win and take a 2-0 lead as the series heads back to Cleveland.
This story will be updated.
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