Pistons hold off Cavaliers in Game 2 to take 2-0 series lead

Pistons hold off Cavaliers in Game 2 to take 2-0 series lead

After a nearly-disastrous first round, the Detroit Pistons are off to a strong start in the Eastern Conference semifinals. The Pistons took a 2-0 lead in the series against the Cleveland Cavaliers, holding off the Cavs for a 107-97 win in Game 2.

Cade Cunningham continued to power Detroit’s postseason run, putting up 25 points behind another hot second half. Meanwhile, Pistons forward Ausar Thompson made key plays through foul trouble in the final minutes of the win.

Both teams struggled with consistent shooting, even as Detroit controlled nearly the entire game. Though Cleveland scored the first basket of the night, Detroit quickly took the lead and held it through the first half.

There was some early heat between Cavs guard James Harden and Thompson, with the veteran and the young’un getting in each other’s face after Thompson got called for a foul. In the second quarter, after another scuffle with Harden, Thompson picked up his third foul after losing his cool and shoving Harden to the ground. As a result, Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff benched the third-year forward for the rest of the half.

Thompson returned in the second half, but was taken out again after getting his fourth foul just minutes into the third quarter. He later returned again in the fourth quarter, bolstering Detroit as they tried to defend the lead.

Meanwhile, Donovan Mitchell went off in the second half, pushing against the Pistons’ narrow lead. Finally, in the fourth quarter, gave Cleveland its first lead since the first points of the game.