It was a moment that had been brewing since February—when an anonymous Cavaliers player dismissed the Pistons after an overtime loss—and Detroit made sure the message was heard loud and clear in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference semifinals series.

The Pistons came out swinging, building an 18-point lead, then weathering a furious Cavaliers comeback before sealing a 111-101 victory Tuesday night at Little Caesars Arena. It was Detroit's first second-round playoff game since 2008, and they made it count, taking a 1-0 series lead.

The game's defining sequence came late in the fourth quarter with the score tied at 93. That's when Cade Cunningham took over, threading three consecutive assists to Jalen Duren for thunderous dunks that broke the deadlock and electrified the home crowd. Cunningham finished with 23 points and seven assists, while Duren's late-game heroics showcased the chemistry that has become the Pistons' trademark in these playoffs.

Tobias Harris added 20 points, and Duncan Robinson provided a spark off the bench with 19 points, including five 3-pointers. For Cleveland, James Harden poured in 22 points and eight assists but was plagued by seven turnovers, while Donovan Mitchell led all scorers with 23 points.

This Pistons team is proving they're no longer the pushovers of years past. With a balanced attack and a defense that stiffened when it mattered most, Detroit has sent a clear message: they're here to compete, and they've got the talent to back it up.