Detroit Pistons blown out by the Cleveland Cavaliers
The “Big 3” combine to shoot 25 from 39 to help the Cleveland Cavs cruise by the offensively challenged Detroit Pistons.
The Detroit Pistons began the game strong hitting both their three-point attempts shooting out to an early 6-0 lead which led to an early timeout from the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The Cavs came out from that time out and rattled off eight straight points and took complete control of the game midway through the first quarter. The deficit got to more than 30 points before finishing 104-81.
More from PistonPowered
- Which Detroit Pistons could save Team USA in the Olympics?
- Detroit Pistons could have major roster churn after 2023-24 season
- The best Detroit Pistons to wear each uniform number
- Full Detroit Pistons NBA 2K24 ratings
- Detroit Pistons: Who will sign the remaining NBA free agents?
Despite limiting the Cavs to just 5 offensive rebounds they were otherwise out rebounded 52-44 overall. The did somehow limit themselves to just 7 turnovers while grabbing 11 offensives rebounds.
The starters combined for an abysmal 15-54 (27 percent) from the field, many of which were open looks. There were missed dunks, blown layups and air-balled jump shots in what was one of the more disappointing offensive performances of the early season for the Pistons.
Unbelievably, not a single starter scored in double digits, in fact, Jon Leuer was the only Piston to do so scoring 15 points off the bench.
The “Big 3” of the Cavs combined for 58 points with none of the three playing more than 29 minutes due to the blowout. As a team the Cavs shot 11-25 (44 percent) from three-point range showing an enormous gulf in that department between the two teams. The Pistons entered the game last in the league in three-pointers made with the Cavs sitting second, and it showed throughout.
The Cavs move to first in the East with the Pistons moving a step closer to a position outside of the playoffs.
D. <a rel=. . Detroit Pistons. KENTAVIOUS CALDWELL-POPE
D. <a rel=. PF. Detroit Pistons. TOBIAS HARRIS
D. <a rel=. C. Detroit Pistons. ANDRE DRUMMOND
I was quite impressed with <a rel=. SF. Detroit Pistons. STANLEY JOHNSON. C+
C+. <a rel=. C. Detroit Pistons. AARON BAYNES
Detroit Pistons. ISH SMITH. F. <a rel=. PG
B. Jon Leuer finished with a team high 15 points (5-12) and 7 Rebounds. I liked his effort on both ends but particularly when matched up against Love defensively. He was easily the Pistons best player tonight and his flexibility at both ends looks to be something coach Van Gundy really appreciates.. PF. Detroit Pistons. JON LEUER
SG. Detroit Pistons. DARRUN HILLIARD. C. <a rel=
Inc. I was surprised to see <a rel=. C. Detroit Pistons. BOBAN MARJANOVIC
Inc. <a rel=. SG/SF. Detroit Pistons. REGGIE BULLOCK
Inc. <a rel=. PF/C. Detroit Pistons. HENRY ELLENSON
C. I thought the Pistons looked a lot better when <a rel=. PG. Detroit Pistons. BENO UDRIH
Detroit Pistons. MARCUS MORRIS. D. The struggles continue for <a rel=. SF
Related Story: Making the case for Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
. Detroit Pistons. STAN VAN GUNDY. C. It’s hard to be too harsh on Van Gundy in this one. It seemed the Pistons jumped out of the gates well early which can be credited to his buildup. They just simply missed too many makeable shots in this to have any chance. They got enough good looks in this to make a game out of it they just weren’t able to capitalize as their road struggles continue. When the game was clearly over and the deficit up to over 30, I did think Van Gundy could have given guys like Ellenson, Marjonavic and Bullock more run. I thought changes needed to be made at halftime and it seemed that he just stuck with what he knew, which unfortunately for the Pistons it seemed the Cavs had an answer for.