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Cavaliers Rout Pistons 116-95 Behind Stifling Defense and Interior Control

Cleveland's defense forced a nine-minute Detroit drought, signaling a tougher early-season identity.

Overview

  • An extended second-quarter clampdown produced a nine-minute Pistons field-goal drought and a 25-2 Cavaliers run that broke the game open to move Cleveland to 3-1.
  • Donovan Mitchell scored 35 points, Jarrett Allen added 20 points with seven rebounds, and Evan Mobley logged his first double-double of the season with 15 points and 10 boards.
  • Detroit shot 37.9% and committed 25 turnovers, with Cade Cunningham limited to 12 points on 3-of-14 shooting.
  • Cleveland prevailed despite the absences of Darius Garland, Max Strus and Lonzo Ball, leveraging a 50-30 advantage in points in the paint.
  • Bench pieces set the defensive tone as Dean Wade posted a first-half +19 and Craig Porter Jr. a +15, with disciplined rotations choking off drives.