NBA Playoffs: Cavaliers vs. Pistons Game 1 recap, full highlights

The Cleveland Cavaliers held off a tough battle from the Detroit Pistons in Game 1 of the first round of the NBA Playoffs.

The Detroit Pistons feel like they can knock off the No. 1 seed Cleveland Cavaliers in the playoffs after taking the regular season from them. On Sunday, the Pistons brought the fight early and often to LeBron James and the Cavaliers on their own court.

Not only did the Pistons put the pressure on the Cavaliers on the defensive end, they were lights out from beyond the arc in the first half. Marcus Morris, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Stanley Johnson got the Pistons going with some momentum with the big shot.

Head coach Stan Van Gundy stood tall like a general commanding out orders and he had his team in great position to be ready for what the Cavaliers brought them. Through a series of emphatic speeches during timeouts, Van Gundy made great adjustments every time Cleveland began to get on a run.

The Cavaliers would answer the Pistons punches with some of their own behind Kevin Love working down low. In fact, the Cavaliers were working at their best when Love was playing at the five. Kyrie Irving would help James carry the Cavaliers in scoring toward the end of the first half to keep Detroit from running away with the game.

In the second half, the Cavaliers’ big three along with key contributors like Richard Jefferson really worked their way back into it to briefly take the lead back on a 7-0 run to begin the fourth. Toward the middle of the fourth quarter, Jefferson would hit a huge three to push the Cavaliers’ lead up to three and suddenly it felt like Cleveland had all the momentum.

With minutes running down on the clock, the Cavaliers began to take control and emotions boiled over for the Pistons, as Reggie Jackson was whistled for a technical. The Cavaliers would get to the free throw line and begin controlling the pace of the game.

The Cavaliers would hit their final free throws and would pull away with a win in Game 1.

Full Highlights

Three Stars

3. Kevin Love

Kevin Love was fantastic inside and fantastic outside. He finished with 28 points and 13 rebounds.

2. LeBron James

James wasn’t far from a triple-double on Sunday. He had 22 points, 11 assists and 6 rebounds. He found his teammates on the court and they delivered for him.

1. Kyrie Irving

Irving was the reason that the Cavaliers won this game. He played like a superstar and finished with 31 points, 6 assists and 5 rebounds.

Betting Odds

The Cavaliers came into the game as 11-point favorites. They didn’t cover the spread with their close win.

What’s Next?

The two teams will meet again for Game 2 in Cleveland on Wednesday night.

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