Tobias Harris is playing like a man on a mission, and the Detroit Pistons are reaping the rewards. For the seventh straight playoff game, Harris scored at least 20 points, helping the Pistons secure a commanding 2-0 series lead over the Cleveland Cavaliers with a 107-97 victory at Little Caesars Arena.
The veteran forward dropped 21 points on an efficient 9-for-16 shooting, but it was Cade Cunningham who delivered the knockout punch. The young star poured in 12 of his 25 points in the fourth quarter, including a dazzling crossover stepback three over Max Strus with just over two minutes left that stretched the lead to 101-92. Cunningham also dished out 10 assists, proving once again why he's the engine of this Pistons offense.
Donovan Mitchell did everything he could for Cleveland, erupting for 31 points, but the Cavaliers simply couldn't buy a bucket from deep when it mattered most. Cleveland went 0-for-11 on three-pointers in the final quarter and finished a frigid 7-for-32 (21.9%) from beyond the arc.
Ausar Thompson came up 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 lead. Daniss Jenkins also kept the momentum rolling, burying a buzzer-beating three at the end of the third quarter to give Detroit a 79-75 advantage heading into the fourth.
The Cavaliers briefly fought back with a 6-0 run to take their first lead since early in the game, but the Pistons held steady, maintaining a slim edge in the final minutes to close out the win. With a 2-0 lead, Detroit is in the driver's seat as the series shifts to Cleveland.
