LeBron started off the 1st quarter nice for the Cavaliers getting 3 early layups. However just like Reggie Jackson said, they wanted to play Goliath, and the way the Pistons shot in the first quarter (10-17) they were ready for the battle. KCP lead the way early with 10 but playoff LeBron was in the building and helped weather the storm.
The hot shooting by the Pistons did not cool off in the second as they continued their onslaught going on a 12-3 run and draining seven 3 pointers between Morris, Johnson, KCP, and Bullock!
Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love started to show up a little more this quarter going on a 8-0 run to combat the Pistons hot shooting. Detroit shot 61.8% from the field and 10 of 16 from deep!
LeBron continued to his consistent steady play and even had a beautiful dime to JR Smith
Kyrie Irving started off the 2nd half hot! Irving scored a quick 8 points in the first minute of the quarter
Cleveland was able to use this momentum to take back the lead but Detroit stayed poised and responded with a 7-2 run of their own. Drummond dropped 9 points and 7 boards and even went 1 for 2 when the “Hack A Drummond” began!
The Cavaliers battled through into the fourth quarter after winning the third 23-20, and got a big three-pointer from veteran Richard Jefferson:
LeBron James’ block leads to a Richard Jefferson jumper#Cavs pic.twitter.com/fPNzZ0pjXK
— NBA On Def Pen (@NBAOnDefPen) April 17, 2016
Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love were special for the Cavaliers. They combined for 59 points in the game and a combined 13 points in the fourth quarter.
Kyrie Irving goes behind-the-back and hits Kevin Love for the 3!#Cavs
(via @clippittv)pic.twitter.com/Fp6Uc10Ul1— NBA On Def Pen (@NBAOnDefPen) April 17, 2016
Someway, somehow, Kevin Love almost lost the ball but ends up with a corner 3?#Cavs
(via @clippittv)pic.twitter.com/JSX3Cb9UVK— NBA On Def Pen (@NBAOnDefPen) April 17, 2016
The Cavaliers defense ratcheted up down the stretch and the Pistons couldn’t sustain their incredible efficiency and execution down the stretch. Detroit shot 50 percent from the field and 51 percent from three for the game, while the Cavaliers shot 44 percent from the field and 34 percent from three.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope finished with a team-high 21 points for the Pistons. Marcus Morris finished with 20 points.
Game 2 between the Cavaliers and Pistons will be on Wednesday at 8:00 PM EST on TNT.
