Is Sam Merrill (hamstring) playing for Cavaliers in Game 2?

Even though the Detroit Pistons were more or less in control from wire to wire in a 111-101 win on Tuesday, the Cleveland Cavaliers did make them sweat a little bit in the opening game of this second-round series. The Cavaliers will have to enter Detroit on Thursday night with a much more focused and intentional effort if they want to send this matchup back to Cleveland all tied up.

Unfortunately for the Cavaliers, they might be a little shorthanded depth-wise for Game 2. In fact, given the nature of the injury, they'll probably be a bit shorthanded for the rest of their series with the Pistons.

Cleveland reserve guard Sam Merrill is listed as questionable for Game 2 with a hamstring strain. While the exact severity of Merrill's injury is unclear at this time, he was apparently laboring while walking around a day after Game 1. Oof. That's not a good sign for his Game 2 status and perhaps beyond.

Merrill is shooting over 42 percent from the 3-point line for the Cavaliers this postseason. He's averaging nearly 19 minutes a game. That's not star-player quality, but it is the playing time of an essential role player. Look for guys like Max Strus and Jaylon Tyson to play even more if Merrill can't play on Thursday night.

This article originally appeared on For The Win: Sam Merrill injury: Is Cavaliers guard playing vs. Pistons in Game 2?