The Detroit Pistons and Cleveland Cavaliers are locked in a tight battle early in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference semifinals series. With the game still in the first quarter at the 9:46 mark, the Cavaliers hold a 5-2 lead on the road at Little Caesars Arena.

Cleveland came out sharp, with Donovan Mitchell hitting his first field goal and Evan Mobley adding a quick bucket and two offensive rebounds. For Detroit, forward Tobias Harris has been the early offensive spark, knocking down both free throws to get the Pistons on the board. The game is being broadcast nationally on NBCSN.

According to ESPN Analytics, the Pistons entered the game as slight favorites with a 63.6 percent win probability, and that number has fluctuated early as both teams trade possessions. The defensive intensity is already on display—James Harden missed a driving layup just seconds into the contest, and Jarrett Allen couldn't convert on a close-range hook shot.

The series pits a dominant Pistons squad (60-22, tops in the East) against a dangerous Cavaliers team (52-30) that finished second in the Central Division. Detroit swept the regular-season series 4-0, but Cleveland is looking to flip the script in the playoffs. Game 2 shifts to Prime Video before the series heads to Cleveland for Games 3 and 4.

Injury news: Pistons guard Kevin Huerter is out with a thigh injury and is expected back by May 7.

As the game settles in, all eyes are on how these two Central Division rivals adjust. The Cavs are looking to steal home-court advantage, while the Pistons aim to protect their league-best 31-9 home record. Stay tuned as the action heats up in Motown.