The rivalry between the Detroit Pistons and the Cleveland Cavaliers stretches back so far that you have to conjure up names like Žydrūnas Ilgauskas, Darko Miličić, and LeBron James (remember that old timer?). It was the Detroit Pistons that delayed James’ ascension to title winner, which compelled his migration to South Beach, it was James who single-handedly killed the Going to Work Pistons with 25 consecutive points in 2007.
Both franchises experienced some low lows (Detroit’s much more extended),
and both are among the top of the East thanks to some smart roster building and a pivotal player from the 2021 NBA Draft — Cade Cunningham for the Pistons and Evan Mobley for the Cavs.
Cleveland won 64 games last year, got bounced in the second round, and made a win-now trade for James Harden at the trade deadline. Detroit won 60 games this year and is looking at toppling the Cavs as the next step in its title-contending narrative.
The Cavs, though, don’t seem to think much of the Pistons.
In reviewing the four-game season series, it was hard to glean much from either side thanks to injuries. Each side won two, and every win has an asterisk because of key pieces missing from the starting lineup. The most recent was a 122-119 overtime win for Detroit when the Cavs were missing five rotation players, including its backcourt of Donovan Mitchell and Harden.
The Cavs lost, but they had plenty to say after the game … anonymously, of course.
“They aren’t in our class,” said one anonymous player to Cleveland.com after the game.
Chris Fedor, the beat writer for the Cavs for many years, follows that up with, “Another player said he didn’t believe Detroit would even be Cleveland’s toughest matchup in the playoffs.”
I’d call it unshakeable confidence if only the players were brave enough to put a name to their words.
For better and for worse, the Pistons don’t do anything anonymously. They say it with their chest, and they aren’t afraid to get physical.
The key to this series is bringing that physicality without pushing it too far. Harden can get you in foul trouble, Ausar Thompson. Donovan Mitchell can make you regret gambling for that steal, Javonte Green. Sam Merrill will make you regret over-helping, Cade Cunningham. Isaiah Stewart can get you ejected, Isaiah Stewart.
The Pistons have a decided size advantage on the wings, and the double-big matchup between Jalen Duren and Jarrett Allen, and Isaiah Stewart (and Tobias Harris) against Evan Mobley will be the key to the series.
Detroit needs to take care of the ball, Cunningham chief among them, and they need to find a way to impose their will in a way they couldn’t manage to against the Orlando Magic until the final six quarters of the series. The Pistons need to keep building up its postseason narrative while ensuring they make the Cavs play down to theirs.
Mitchell, Harden, Mobley, and the Cavaliers are incredibly talented. But they are the ones who haven’t been able to deliver when it matters. Mitchell averages 27.8 points in the playoffs but has never escaped the conference semifinals. Harden has never missed the postseason but has only made the conference finals twice since leaving Oklahoma City in 2012. Its been four early playoff exits for the Cavs the past four seasons.
The series is there for the taking. The Pistons just need to deliver on the floor and not focus on soundbites.
