Pistons Triumph Over Cavaliers, Securing First Winning Season Since 2016!
In an electrifying matchup, the Detroit Pistons took down the Cleveland Cavaliers 133-122, marking their first winning season since 2016. Tim Hardaway Jr. led the charge with a season-high 32 points, showcasing his scoring prowess on Friday night.
Despite a stellar 38-point performance from Cleveland's Donovan Mitchell, who netted 22 points in the fourth quarter alone, the Pistons held their ground. This victory also ended a frustrating 12-game losing streak against the Cavaliers, a feat that has been long overdue for Detroit fans.
The Pistons (42-32) played without their star player Cade Cunningham, who is sidelined with a calf injury. Stepping up in his absence, Dennis Schroder started and contributed significantly with 16 points and 10 assists. Jalen Duren also made his mark, adding 16 points and grabbing 13 rebounds, while Ausar Thompson chipped in with 18 points and 10 boards. This win is particularly sweet for the Pistons, who have struggled to reach even 25 wins in the past five seasons.
With just eight regular-season games left, the Pistons are on the brink of a remarkable turnaround. If they can secure three more wins, they could reach 45 victories for the first time since their impressive 59-23 record in the 2007-08 season, which was also the last time they won a playoff game.
On the other side, Darius Garland added 21 points for the Cavaliers, who were looking to extend their dominance over Detroit, having not lost to them since February 24, 2022. The Cavaliers found themselves trailing 108-89 with just under nine minutes left but rallied to close the gap to 119-117 thanks to Mitchell's clutch 3-pointer. However, the Pistons responded with a decisive 12-1 run to seal the victory.
As for the Cavaliers, they are just one win away from achieving their first 60-win season since 2009-10. Meanwhile, the Pistons are keeping their fingers crossed for Cunningham's return, as he has missed three consecutive games and is currently listed as day-to-day.
Hardaway's performance was pivotal, especially as the Pistons kicked off the second half with a 13-4 run, establishing a 76-62 lead. They finished the third quarter with a commanding 38-25 advantage, heading into the final period with an 18-point lead.
In terms of fast breaks, the Pistons dominated with a 25-6 advantage, showcasing their speed and agility on the court. Both teams are set to play again on Monday, with Cleveland hosting the Los Angeles Clippers and Detroit heading to Minnesota for the start of a three-game road trip.
