The Detroit Pistons will look to even their Eastern Conference first-round playoff series against the host Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 2 on Wednesday at Quicken Loans Arena.
The Pistons held tough with the Cavaliers in Game 1 on Sunday but ultimately were defeated 106-101. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope led Detroit with 21 points (7-14 FG, 3-4 FT, 4-8 3Pt) and added three assists as well as a pair of rebounds in 38 minutes. Marcus Morris scored 20 points (6-14 FG, 5-6 FT, 3-7 3Pt) to go along with five assists, two rebounds, and a steal in 39 minutes. The Pistons are clearly the most inexperienced team in the playoffs, as Reggie Jackson is the only member of the team with playoff experience. Detroit will look to get more out of All-Star Andre Drummond on Wednesday, who recorded just 13 points and 11 rebounds in the loss. The Pistons have played well against the Cavaliers this season, winning three of four matchups in the regular season, including two victories in Cleveland.
The Cavaliers were firing on all cylinders on Sunday, thanks to the stellar play of their big-three. LeBron James registered a double-double with 22 points (9-17 FG, 4-4 FT, 0-3 3Pt) and 11 assists while adding six rebounds, two steals and two blocks in a team-high 40 minutes. Kyrie Irving scored a game-high 31 points (10-24 FG, 6-8 FT, 5-8 3Pt) to go along with six assists, five rebounds, two steals and a block in 37 minutes. Kevin Love came through with a double-double by scoring 28 points (10-22 FG, 4-5 FT, 4-8 3Pt) and adding a team-high 13 rebounds to go along with an assist and a steal in 38 minutes. Two major keys to success were the Cleveland's ability to outscore the Pistons in the paint (38-24), combined with out-scoring them off turnovers (19-2).
