The Detroit Pistons are proving that their first-round scare is firmly in the rearview mirror. After a nearly disastrous opening series, the team has come out swinging in the Eastern Conference semifinals, taking a commanding 2-0 series lead over the Cleveland Cavaliers with a gritty 107-97 victory in Game 2.
Once again, it was Cade Cunningham who stole the show. The Pistons' star guard delivered another masterful fourth-quarter performance, finishing with 25 points and providing the offensive spark Detroit needed to hold off a determined Cavaliers squad. But he wasn't alone in the spotlight—forward Ausar Thompson made his presence felt despite battling foul trouble in the critical final minutes.
From the opening tip, Detroit set the tone. After Cleveland scored the game's first basket, the Pistons quickly seized control and never looked back, carrying that momentum through the first half. However, the game wasn't without its fireworks. A heated exchange between veteran Cavaliers guard James Harden and the young Thompson set the stage for a tense evening. Thompson's emotions got the better of him in the second quarter when he picked up his third foul after shoving Harden to the floor, prompting Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff to bench him for the remainder of the half.
Thompson returned after the break but was quickly sidelined again after collecting his fourth foul early in the third quarter. Showing resilience, he rejoined the action in the fourth, providing crucial energy as Detroit fought to protect their lead.
Meanwhile, Donovan Mitchell was heating up. The Cavaliers' star guard exploded in the second half, chipping away at Detroit's advantage. The tension peaked in the fourth quarter when Evan Mobley finally gave Cleveland its first lead since the opening seconds of the game. But the Pistons refused to fold. Cunningham and sharpshooter Duncan Robinson answered with a flurry of clutch three-pointers, swinging the momentum back in Detroit's favor and sealing the win.
With a 2-0 series lead, the Pistons are now in the driver's seat as the series shifts to Cleveland. If Cunningham and company can keep their composure—and their shooting touch—this could be the start of something special in Motown.