Overview
- The top-seeded Pistons, opening the series Tuesday in Detroit, won 111-101 to end a 12-game playoff skid against the Cavaliers and take a 1-0 lead.
- Detroit turned roughly 19–20 Cleveland turnovers into 31 points and won the boards 45-41 with 16 offensive rebounds, tilting the possession battle.
- With the score tied at 93-93 in the fourth quarter, Jalen Duren blocked James Harden and then threw down three straight dunks to secure the result.
- Cade Cunningham led Detroit with 23 points and 7 assists as Tobias Harris added 20 and Duncan Robinson hit five threes, while Jarrett Allen fouled out after 18 minutes.
- Game 2 is Thursday at 7 p.m. ET at Little Caesars Arena, and the Cavaliers are targeting cleaner ballhandling and stronger center play after Duren controlled the paint.