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The Cleveland Cavaliers only just escaped with a victory in Game 1 of their NBA Playoff first-round series against the Detroit Pistons, and will be after a more dominant display in Game 2. Join The Roar for live scores from 10am (AEST).
Cleveland were incredibly lucky to escape from Game 1 with the victory and early series lead.
After taking out the top seed in the Eastern Conference, and the right to home-court advantage right throughout the playoffs, they so nearly squandered that in the first match.
Heading into the final quarter, the Pistons led by two points, and the match was still tied with six minutes to go.
Eventually though, the pressure of playing at the Quicken Loans Arena, and the class of LeBron James – who ended with 22 points, 11 assists and got to the free throw line four times – saw Detroit fall by five.
They will take plenty of positives out of that match though. The Pistons found good shots for the entirety of the game, ending above 50 per cent compared to the Cavaliers’ 44 per cent, while they matched it with Cleveland in all the key areas.
Cleveland’s key right throughout the playoffs is having players supporting LeBron. He got that during Game 1, with Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving – the other members of the big three – delivering 28 and 31 points respectively. In addition, Love had 13 rebounds and Irving six assists.
With James dumping off 11 assists, and others putting the ball in the basket consistently, it becomes a lot harder to guard, rather than the ‘give it to LeBron and see what he can do’ approach that has been common this season, particularly through the back half.
If the big three don’t fire though, who is going to stand up? They scored 81 points, and with most of Detroit’s starters – bar Tobias Harris, who had a shocking night – chipping in, the Cavaliers more than likely won’t have the offence to match without all of them firing.
Prediction
Before Game 1 I said the Pistons would win, and I haven’t seen anything to change my mind. They are only going to get better with playoff experience and learning how to deal with the Cavaliers’ at times one-dimensional offence.
Pistons by 6.
Be sure to join The Roar for live scores of this match from 10am (AEST) and don’t forget to add your own comments in the section below.
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