NBA Playoffs: Cavaliers vs. Pistons Game 2 recap, full highlights

The Cavaliers pulled away after halftime to secure a 2-0 series lead over the Pistons on Wednesday

As Detroit Pistons point guard Reggie Jackson said before the 2016 NBA Playoffs ever started, they were ready for the challenge of taking on the Eastern Conference No. 1 seed in the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round. They gave the defending champs out of the East all that they could handle in Quicken Loans Arena in Game 1 and looked to do the same in Game 2 on Wednesday night.

For the first quarter, it looked like Detroit might not just give the Cavaliers a game, but like they might actually steal one. Marcus Morris was continuing to look hot from long range and the talented young Kentavious Caldwell-Pope was knocking down shots. Throw in the fact that the Pistons defense was causing Cleveland some issues early on and Detroit jumped out to an early lead in this game.

The Cavaliers started getting into a rhythm in the second quarter, particularly with LeBron James really ducking his head and getting into the paint. That not only allowed him to score at the rim, but also opened up the perimeter for the likes of Kyrie Irving and J.R. Smith—the latter of which went berserk on Wednesday—to knock down looks on the perimeter.

Cleveland went into halftime up by two, but they really turned on the jets coming out of the locker room as they were getting out in transition, continuing to knock down jumpers from the outside, and making the shots Detroit was getting tough on them. That allowed the Cavs to jump out to a huge lead after three quarters and then ultimately coast to victory in the final period.

Detroit fought hard, but the Cavaliers are now up 2-0 in the series as they look ahead to Game 3 and going on the road.

Three Stars

LeBron James, Cavaliers – 27 points, six rebounds, three assists, three steals

Andre Drummond, Pistons – 20 points, seven rebounds, one block, one steal

J.R. Smith, Cavaliers – 21 points, five rebounds, 7-11 shooting from three

Highlights

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Next Game

Though the series now shifts to Detroit, there’s not much rest for the Cavaliers and Pistons as they play Game 3 on Friday at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN.

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