CavsWire

Cavs drop Game 1 in Detroit, 111-101. James Harden posted 22 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists — but turned it over seven times. His 43 postseason turnovers through eight games are tied for the second-most by any player at this stage in NBA history. That and more on my Game 1 recap: x.com/cavs_wire/stat…

FINAL | Detroit def. Cleveland 111-101 Max Strus: 19 PTS | 5 REB | 2 AST | 7-13 FG | 4-8 3PT Donovan Mitchell: 23 PTS | 4 REB | 9-19 FG | 4-10 3PT James Harden: 22 PTS | 8 REB | 7 AST | 6-15 FG | 9-9 FT Evan Mobley: 14 PTS | 9 REB | 5 AST | 2 BLK | 6-11 FG Dennis Schroder: 9 PTS | 3 AST | 3-6 FG

...Jarrett Allen had his playing time diminished due to foul trouble. For Detroit, Cade Cunningham had 23 points on a poor 6-for-19 which typically would lead to some success for opponents, but his playmaking unlocked Duncan Robinson went 5-8 from three and got 19 points while Jalen Duren had 11 points with 12 rebounds including 7 offensive boards. The real difference maker was Cleveland's 19 turnovers which turned into 31 Detroit points while they gave up just 11.

FINAL: Pistons 111, Cavaliers 101. Cavaliers hung around despite some sloppy play and tied it up at one point in the fourth, but wasn't able to capitalize. James Harden was a big reason behind the surge after coming alive in the fourth, scoring 13 of his 22 in the final frame. Donovan Mitchell finished with a team-high 23 points, but really disappeared after scoring 14 early in the second quarter. Evan Mobley was also good in this one, but was quiet in the final stretch and...

Big shot by Mitchell and the Cavaliers are now in the foul game.

Not sure why Jarrett Allen isn't in this game.

Likely the last Cavs lineup for the game: James Harden Donovan Mitchell Max Strus Dean Wade Evan Mobley

#Cavs legend Ben Wallace in the house.

Cade Cunningham just opens up so much for the Detroit offense, finding Jalen Duren for drop-off assists on back-to-back possessions to put the Pistons up four after Cleveland tied it up. CLE 93 - DET 97 with 4:13 remaining.

James Harden has now tied this game via an 11-0 run. The Beard has nine points this quarter alone, matching his total from the first three quarters.

The foul committed by Ausar Thompson is his fourth.

Harden getting a bit of life here, putting in the last two team field goals for the Cavaliers via two floaters and just picked up a foul on a triple.

Second-chance looks continue to deliver, as Dean Wade collects the missed Strus three and lets Harden do the rest, converting a floater for just his third made field goal of the game. Cavaliers now down just five at 93-88 with 6:32 remaining in regulation.

At this point, Atkinson should really consider finishing this game with either Schroder or Ellis next to Mitchell instead of Harden.

Duncan Robinson has been the answer to the Piston's offensive second option problem on a night where Cade Cunningham has 21 points on 5-for-15 shooting. Robinson has 19 points on 7-for-12 shooting and 5-for-8 from deep.

With respect, Thomas Bryant needs to exit this game.

Looked away from the game for one second and missed the Schroder tech. Nice.

Cavs have outscore Detroit 28-19 in the third quarter and cut a 13-point halftime deficit to just 4 before that Holland triple. A 7-0 run via a Mitchell three, Strus layup, Schroder bucket forced a Pistons timeout and completely shifted the momentum of the game. Max Strus (16 pts, 4-for-7 from three) has been a big reason behind the swing while Mobley continues to provide production with a quiet 14/7/4 line. Harden continues to struggle, however, with 9 points on 2-for-8 with 5 turnovers.

Donovan Mitchell subs in alongside Dennis Schroeder and Jarrett Allen and quickly create some offense via some excellent ball movement and initiating the fastbreak off of turnovers. That's a 7-0 swing in just over a minute to bring the Cavaliers back within four at 75-71.