Cleveland Cavaliers Look To Extend Series Against the Detroit Pistons

The Cleveland Cavaliers had an intense battle with the Toronto Raptors, and after beating them, they are taking on a new foe. They are taking on the Detroit Pistons, who had a tough series of their own. They faced the Orlando Magic, and they beat them in a seven-game series.

Detroit had a strong season, and that led to Cade Cunningham and his teammates getting the top seed in the Eastern Conference. The Pistons are in a good place, and they have a 2-0 lead over a team that shook things up during the trade deadline.

Cleveland Cavaliers Add Veterans, Prepare For Playoff Run

The Cavaliers had their share of injuries this season, and one of the most significant revolved around Darius Garland. Garland missed time due to a toe injury. While Garland was considered one of Cleveland’s core players, the franchise decided to go in a different direction.

Cleveland was active at the trade deadline. The Cavaliers acquired veteran Guard Dennis Schröder and 3-and-D specialist Keon Ellis. They gave up De’Andre Hunter to get those two, and once that move was complete, the Cavaliers had another deal in mind. They brought in James Harden. That required giving up Garland.

Harden’s time with the Cavaliers has gone well, but the playoffs have been a challenge. The Raptors gave them a scare, and now the Pistons are trying to reach the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2008.

After trailing in the series against the Magic, the Pistons regrouped and beat them 116-94 in Game 7. Detroit is once again looking like the team that controlled the Eastern Conference, and Cleveland is trailing early in the series.

Are the Cavaliers Finished?

One of the hottest topics during Cleveland’s playoff run is the play of its stars. Donovan Mitchell had 31 points in his team’s last game against the Pistons. He had a notable performance, but he shot 22.2% from 3-point range.

Mitchell has struggled from deep, but he is continuing to score. He has scored 20 or more points in seven of Cleveland’s playoff games, and in the others, he finished with 19 points and 15 points.

After a strong regular season, Mitchell is trying to will his team to victory. That requires taking over in the big moments, and if the supporting cast is doing its part, the Cavaliers have a shot.

As far as Harden, he is trying to get into a rhythm. He is averaging 19.6 points, 5.9 assists, and 5.7 rebounds. The stat that stands out the most is turnovers per game, as he is averaging 5.2. Harden had eight turnovers in a loss to the Raptors, and he is struggling to hold onto the ball. In fact, a costly mistake at the end of Game 2 impacted Cleveland’s chances of winning.

Harden and the Cavaliers Return To Cleveland

Detroit hosted Cleveland in the first two games, and now, the Cavaliers have a chance to tie the series. They will be home for the next two games, and they have played well on their home floor. All of their wins over Toronto were at home, and the Cavs can add to their perfect home record. However, the stars have to be at their best. The next game is a chance for Harden to bounce back and prove that he can perform in the playoffs.

The pressure is on for the Cavaliers, but if the stars shine, their championship hopes remain intact. Then, how far they go is up to them.