Tobias Harris has transformed into the playoff force the Detroit Pistons have been waiting for, and he's showing no signs of slowing down.
Harris scored at least 20 points for the seventh straight game on Thursday night, leading the Pistons to a commanding 107-97 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 2 at Little Caesars Arena. With the win, Detroit takes a 2-0 series lead and puts the pressure squarely on Cleveland's shoulders heading into Game 3.
The veteran forward poured in 21 points on an efficient 9-for-16 shooting, while Cade Cunningham turned up the heat when it mattered most. Cunningham scored 12 of his 25 points in the fourth quarter, adding 10 assists to complete a double-double that kept the Cavs at arm's length.
The defining moment came with 2:12 remaining when Cunningham executed a slick right-to-left crossover into a stepback three-pointer over Max Strus from the left wing, extending Detroit's lead to 101-92. The crowd erupted as the young star delivered in the clutch.
Not to be outdone, Ausar Thompson sealed the game with a crucial defensive play, helping to strip James Harden on a drive with 33 seconds left and the Pistons clinging to a 103-97 advantage.
Cleveland's Donovan Mitchell did everything he could, dropping 31 points, but the Cavaliers went ice-cold from deep in the fourth quarter. Cleveland missed all 11 of their three-point attempts in the final period and finished the night just 7-for-32 (21.9%) from beyond the arc.
Daniss Jenkins continued his hot streak, adding 14 points and hitting the Pistons' third buzzer-beating three-pointer of the series to close the third quarter, giving Detroit a 79-75 edge heading into the fourth. The Cavaliers answered with a quick 6-0 run to reclaim their first lead since early in the game, but the Pistons never wavered, maintaining a slim advantage in the closing minutes.
The series now shifts to Cleveland for Game 3 on Saturday afternoon (3 p.m., NBC/Peacock), with Game 4 set for Monday night. The Pistons have their sights set on taking control of this series, and with Harris and Cunningham firing on all cylinders, they look like a team on a mission.