The Detroit Pistons are off and running in the Eastern Conference second round, and they’re bringing all that momentum back home. After a gritty 111-101 win on Tuesday, Cade Cunningham and company hold a 1-0 series lead over the Cleveland Cavaliers. It’s a statement start for the top-seeded Pistons, and now they’re looking to double down on their home court.

Cunningham was the star of Game 1, dropping 23 points to lead Detroit. But he wasn’t alone—the Pistons leaned on their fast-paced attack, ranking fourth in the East with 18.0 fast break points per game, and Cunningham has been the engine, averaging 3.9 of those himself. For Cleveland, Donovan Mitchell matched Cunningham’s 23 points, but it wasn’t enough to steal the opener on the road.

This series pits two division powerhouses against each other. The Pistons have gone 12-4 against division opponents this season, while the Cavaliers are 11-5 in those matchups. Detroit’s defense has been a key factor—they hold opponents to just 109.6 points per game, while Cleveland averages 119.5 points on offense. That contrast sets up a fascinating chess match: can the Cavs’ scoring keep up with Detroit’s stifling defense?

Beyond Cunningham, keep an eye on Ausar Thompson, who’s averaging 9.9 points and 5.7 rebounds for the Pistons. For the Cavaliers, it’s all about Donovan Mitchell (27.9 points, 5.7 assists) and veteran James Harden, who’s been steady with 18.6 points and 5.5 assists over his last 10 games. Both teams are coming off contrasting 10-game stretches—the Pistons are 7-3, while the Cavaliers are 5-5—giving Detroit a slight edge in recent form.

Injury-wise, the Pistons list Kevin Huerter as day-to-day with an adductor issue. For Cleveland, the focus will be on tightening their defense after allowing Detroit to shoot 46% from the field in Game 1. With the series shifting back to Motown, expect the intensity to ratchet up. Can the Pistons protect home court and take a commanding 2-0 lead? All eyes are on Cunningham and the confident crew in Detroit.