CLEVELAND, Ohio — Round Two Goes to Detroit

The Cleveland Cavaliers faced off against the Detroit Pistons for the second time this season, with the Pistons emerging victorious, winning 114-110 at Rocket Arena on Sunday afternoon.

Cavs coach Kenny Atkinson remarked on the challenge of winning in the NBA when losing possession battles and highlighted Detroit’s defensive intensity. “Their physicality hurt us,” he said, acknowledging that their defense is among the best in the league and made it difficult for his team to establish their offense.

Although the game lost some excitement due to key player absences, it delivered on the anticipated intensity. The Cavaliers started strong, reflecting the influence of former coach J.B. Bickerstaff’s defensive mentality by limiting the Pistons to just 19 points in the first quarter and forcing seven turnovers.

However, the second quarter shifted momentum dramatically with the Pistons scoring 47 points, highlighted by Daniss Jenkins, who set a franchise record for points off the bench in a quarter with 21, including a buzzer-beater that put Detroit ahead by ten at halftime.

Responding in the second half, Cleveland, led by Donovan Mitchell, rallied to narrow the gap. Despite moments of comeback, they entered the fourth quarter trailing by five points and, ultimately, could not take control against a resilient Pistons team known for excelling in clutch situations.

Detroit extended their lead early in the final quarter, pushing it to 13 points with a three-pointer from former Cavalier Javonte Green. The Cavs managed a brief 9-0 run but could not fully close the gap as the Pistons held firm to seal their victory.

Looking ahead, the Cavaliers hope to welcome back injured players for their next two matchups against the Indiana Pacers. Atkinson emphasized that the team’s focus should be on their own performance rather than their rivals’, as they aim to improve and strive for greater consistency moving forward.