The Cleveland Cavaliers lost 107-97 in Game 2 to the Detroit Pistons. Their season now comes down to defending a home stand.
The Cavs once again started this game down by double digits. Careless turnovers and poor three-point shooting add up quickly in the NBA Playoffs. Even more so when you’re playing against a 60-win team that has the capacity to burn you.
This game started with both Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen practically handing the ball straight to Duncan Robinson on separate plays. James Harden
and Donovan Mitchell would join them, coughing it up throughout the first half for five combined turnovers. The Cavs had nine turnovers overall by halftime.
Harden was especially bad in the opening half. He started the night shooting 1-9 from the floor with 3 turnovers to just 1 assist. Some of his decision-making was as puzzling as it gets. He now has 30 career playoff games with more turnovers than made field goals.
The margin for error in the playoffs is remarkably small, and it continues to shrink the further you go. For all the credit that Detroit deserves, the Cavs are not giving themselves a chance with the way they are turning it over.
Cleveland’s saving grace was getting to the free-throw line. They attempted 12 free throws in the first half. That helped them make up for a 3-14 start from downtown and kept the Pistons from totally running away with this one.
This put the Cavs in a position to rally in the second half.
The Cavs flipped the script, only turning it over once until the final minutes of the fourth quarter (when Harden dribbled his way into a trap).
Mitchell came alive for the first time in this series, scoring 31 points. He still settled for a few difficult jumpers that he shouldn’t have, but overall, Mitchell attacked the basket with more intention than he has in weeks.
This spark from Mitchell helped the Cavs pull back into the game and even take a momentary lead in the fourth quarter. That would quickly evaporate, as Tobias Harris (21 points) and Duncan Robinson (17 points) hit timely shots to close the door.
Cade Cunningham poured in 25 points and 10 assists for the Pistons.
Cleveland goes back home feeling like they could have won either of the first two games, but stay in a 0-2 hole regardless.
