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The Detroit Pistons look to salvage something from their first-round NBA Playoff series against the Cleveland Cavaliers, after being right in the fight throughout the first three games. Join The Roar for live scores of Game 4 from 10:30am (AEST).
Cleveland could consider themselves lucky to be in with a shot at sweeping the series here. They have been challenged by the Pistons, but on the back of some LeBron James brilliance have always found a way to pull the game out of the fire.
Kyrie Irving has also, arguably been in season-best form getting the Cavaliers offence looking a little bit more creative and trying to take out that one-dimensional attack they have carried for much of the season. Even Kevin Love had a big night during Game 1 and the Cavaliers look to be in some solid form. In saying that, they have allowed the Pistons to keep in contact with them.
Game 1 was the toughest of the series for them of course, where they had to come from behind with a quarter to play and ended up winning the game by five points. Game 2 gave them a bit more breathing space as they managed to take a 17 point win, before they went on the road and got up by 10.
That fourth game again saw the Cavaliers win the battle of the final quarter, and while they didn’t necessarily run away with the game, it wasn’t so uncomfortable that they were in a position of questioning the victory during the final minutes.
The difference of the game was undoubtedly the rebounding, which saw the Cavaliers take a 51-38 advantage. Of those, 12 and 5 were on the offensive glass and all the extra shots made life a little too easy for Cleveland.
For the Pistons, it feels like their scoring has been very shared, but someone may have to stand up and deliver a real death blow. That may be Reggie Jackson, and if he can do that and lessen the impact of Kyrie Irving then it would bring them a much larger chance of winning.
Prediction
I’m finally going to go against the Pistons in this series and tip it will be over in a sweep. The Cavaliers look to be in good form, and with LeBron there are closing out the games fairly easily at the end. I’m happy to be surprised by Detroit, and it could be close but I can’t see them forcing a fifth game.
Cavaliers by 6.
Be sure to join The Roar for live scores from 10:30am (AEST) of this NBA Playoffs match and you can join in the conversation and debate by adding your comments below.
Follow Scott on Twitter @sk_pryde