For the third consecutive game the Cavs have defeted the Pistons in their first round match-up.
Detroit started off game 3, just like they did games 1 & 2, punching Cleveland in the mouth the moment the game tipped off. Kyrie Irving came out the gates hot too knocking down his first four shot. The Pistons shot 58 percent from the field in the first quarter and got contributions from all their starters except Tobias Harris who was held scoreless. Cleveland was able to shoot 52 percent in that period as well.
The 2nd quarter pretty much emulated the first, Stanley Johnson came alive for a stretch scoring 7 in the quarter and helping the Pistons push their shooting percentage as high as 62 percent.
It was a pretty physical quarter as you can see with lots of back and forth action. After LeBron hit the buzzer beater to close out the half, Kyrie led all Cavs scorers with 13 points. Marcus Morris ended with 10 and Andre Drummonnd with 11 and a crowd pleasing dance.
It was a slow start to the 3rd before the Pistons ran off 7 straight points,
the Cavs responded with a 6-0 run themselves and ended the quarter with the lead after the Pistons hot first half shooting cooled off as they went 8-22 in the quarter.
Tobias Harris finally showed up in the 4th quarter scoring 8 of the 18 Pistons 4th quarter points, but sadly it was not enough to combat the Cavaliers.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope threw down a strong fast break jam with 3:56 remaining to bring the game to within 3.
JR didn’t let it faze him though and followed it up with a clutch 3 and hushed the crowd.
Then if that wasn’t enough Irving followed it up with this dagger.
The Pistons fall to a 0-3 series deficit against the Cavaliers. Game 4 is this Sunday @ 8:30.
