Cavs can’t complete comeback, as winning streak gets snapped by Detroit Pistons, 114-110

CLEVELAND, Ohio — Round Two goes to Detroit.

In nan 2nd gathering betwixt 2 Eastern Conference heavyweights that are inextricably linked because of their heavy ties, nan Cavs mislaid to nan top-seeded Pistons, 114-110, wrong Rocket Arena connected Sunday afternoon.

While nan matchup mislaid immoderate of its pregame luster successful nan hours earlier tipoff because of absences connected some sides, it surely delivered nan expected theatrics.

Paying homage to erstwhile coach J.B. Bickerstaff — a defensive-minded tactician who instilled a rugged and scrappy personality during his clip successful Northeast Ohio — nan Cavs sewage disconnected to a roaring start, smothering sleepy Detroit and holding it to conscionable 19 first-quarter points while forcing 7 turnovers.

But nan 2nd 4th was overmuch different for nan Pistons — an battle from 3-point scope that led to a 47-point explosion. Two-way defender Daniss Jenkins, who received precocious marks successful Cleveland’s locker room earlier nan game, capped Detroit’s spectacular 4th pinch a buzzer-beating triple successful beforehand of nan Pistons’ bench.

That 12-minute turnaround put nan Pistons up by 10 astatine nan half. Jenkins poured successful 21 successful nan 4th — a franchise-record for nan astir points ever scored successful a 4th by a reserve.

It seemed to beryllium a wake-up telephone for Cleveland, which came retired of nan locker room pinch immoderate other juice, utilizing a Donovan Mitchell-led 8-0 push to make it a one-possession game.

Although nan Cavs yet pulled backmost moreover a small later successful nan third, they ne'er reclaimed nan advantage, going into nan 4th down by five.

Could they equine different furious fourth-quarter comeback? The 3rd 1 successful nan past 4 games?

Not this time. Not connected Bickerstaff’s watch. Not against an force that has thrived successful nan clutch this play — a superior logic for their awesome 25-9 record.

The Pistons opened nan last 4th scoring 10 of nan first 13 points, building their lead to 12.

They went up by a game-high 13 astatine nan 4:59 people of nan 4th connected erstwhile Cavalier Javonte Green’s area triple. But Cleveland kept its composure and responded pinch a 9-0 push. Mitchell tallied 7 of those points, arsenic chants of De-fense, De-fense, De-fense echoed done nan sold-out arena.

Bickerstaff called timeout. The young Pistons needed to regroup.

They did, holding disconnected Cleveland’s latest comeback effort and making capable clutch plays — and free throws — to time off pinch a signature victory.

Two much games stay betwixt these convention rivals. Perhaps Jarrett Allen (illness), Dean Wade (knee soreness) and Max Strus (foot surgery) will beryllium disposable for nan Cavaliers. Maybe nan Pistons, missing Jalen Duren, Tobias Harris and Caris LeVert will yet beryllium afloat spot to supply an meticulous gauge of these 2 teams considered threats to triumph nan convention crown.

Mitchell led each scorers pinch 30 points, including 23 successful nan 2nd half. Four different Cavaliers reached double figures — Darius Garland (16), Evan Mobley (16), Sam Merrill (15) and De’Andre Hunter (14).

The Pistons sewage 27 points from All-Star constituent defender Cade Cunningham. Jenkins chipped successful pinch 25 disconnected nan bench.

Despite nan hoopla surrounding nan game, Cavs coach Kenny Atkinson said his team’s existent measuring instrumentality is themselves. It’s astir continuing connected a caller upward trajectory.

So overmuch for that.

Up next

The Cavs unfastened a two-game roadworthy travel pinch a matchup against nan Indiana Pacers connected Tuesday night. Tipoff is group for 7 p.m.

Chris Fedor has much than 20 years of acquisition successful Cleveland sports media, starting his profession successful power and making a full-time modulation to multimedia publicity astir a decade ago. While he has covered the...