Pistons Clipped in Cleveland: 96-84
Oct 17, 2013; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers power forward Anderson Varejao (17) and Detroit Pistons point guard Chauncey Billups (1) go for a loose ball during the game at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Eric P. Mull-USA TODAY Sports
On the tail end of the Pistons first back-to-back of the year, they dropped their second straight to Central Division opponents, and their second overall. Detroit is now (2-2) in a disappointing loss to the Cavaliers, where Dion Waiters and Andrew Bynum sat out the game.
In what was a back and fourth game for most of the night, the Pistons took brief control in the game late in the second quarter before Cleveland roared back to finish them off.
Out of the gates, the Cavaliers took the lead and work themselves to a two point advantage over Detroit, as the defense for the Pistons struggled yet again. The Cavaliers shot 45.8% for the game and nearly 43% from beyond the arc. Kyrie Irving and Jermaine Taylor lead the Cavaliers in scoring, notching 15 points a piece for Cleveland. Irving, who struggled a bit at times, scored some big time hoops to stop some Piston runs. Irving, along with the 15 points he finished the game with, had 6 assists along with a game high 8 turnovers. Irving connected on four of his eleven shot attempts over the course of the game.
Meanwhile at the other end, the Pistons got no help on the offensive end, finishing the game shooting 38%, three percent below their preseason average of 41 percent. Greg Monroe helped the Pistons a little bit on the offensive end, tallying 16 points and 8 boards in a preseason high 35 minutes of play. Josh Smith’s struggles continued on Thursday, finishing with just 12 points and 4 boards in 32 minutes. And center Andre Drummond struggled as well in Cleveland, finishing with 8 points and 11 boards. He would also go 0/3 from the stripe, as his free throw woes continued after a strong start to the preseason.
As the Cavaliers took a 27-25 lead after one at the Q, the Pistons answered with a major run of their own at the end of the first half. After trailing for the majority of the second quarter the Pistons found themselves trailing the Cavs 38-29 with 4 minutes to go in the half. The Pistons, lead by Will Bynum and Chauncey Billups, finished the half on a 20-8 run, taking a 49-46 lead into the break. If it hadn’t been for an Irving three at the buzzer the run would have stretched to 20-5.
As the two Central Division rivals went back at each other throughout the third, the Cavs separated themselves from Detroit, giving themselves a 70-67 lead after three. In the fourth the Cavaliers stretched their lead to as large as 17 at the end of the game (96-79), before the Pistons ultimately fell to the Cavaliers 96-84 at the Quicken Loans Arena.
The next time these two teams meet, the regular season will be in full swing, as the Pistons are scheduled to visit Cleveland, Ohio, December 23rd, right before a mini Christmas break.
BOX SCORE:
Detroit Pistons:
– Josh Smith: 32 MIN; 12 PTS; 4 REBS; 3 ASTS; 4 STLS; 2 BLKs
– Greg Monroe: 35 MIN; 16 PTS; 8 REBS; 1 STL
– Andre Drummond: 34 MIN; 8 PTS; 11 REBS; 1 BLK
– Kyle Singler: 25 MINS; 9 PTS; 5 REBS
– Will Bynum: 29 MIN; 12 PTS; 3 ASTS
– Kentavious Caldwell-Pope: 20 MIN; 4 PTS; 2 REBS; 2 STLS
– Peyton Siva: 18 MIN; 5 PTS; 5 ASTS
– Chauncey Billups: 27 MIN; 10 PTS; 4 ASTS
– Jonas Jerebko: 14 MIN; 8 PTS; 5 REBS
– Tony Mitchell: 2 MIN
The Pistons are in action yet again this Sunday for their last away game of the preseason against the Orlando Magic. Tip-off is scheduled for 6:00 eastern time at the Amway Center. As well as the last road preseason game for the team, this will also be the last game not televised for the Pistons. Fox Sports Detroit is scheduled to carry next week’s Tuesday matchup against the Washington Wizards, whom they will face on opening night, and the Thursday matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the preseason finale at the Palace.
Like always, we will have all the pre and post game coverage throughout the rest of the preseason and regular season contests. Hopefully the Pistons can right the ship in Orlando on Sunday.