NBA Matchups: May 7

CLE @ DET | LAL @ OKC

Cleveland Cavaliers at Detroit Pistons

Team Totals: Cavs 106.4, Pistons 109.8

Injury Report: Sam Merrill (Q, hamstring), Kevin Huerter (D, groin)

Cavs projected starters: James Harden, Donovan Mitchell, Dean Wade, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen

Pistons projected starters: Cade Cunningham, Duncan Robinson, Ausar Thompson, Tobias Harris, Jalen Duren

Offensive Ranks: Cavs 8th (6th halfcourt), Pistons 10th (16th halfcourt)

Defensive Ranks: Cavs 15th (15th halfcourt), Pistons 2nd (2nd halfcourt)

Season Series: 2-2

Noteworthy Missed Games: James Harden (3; Darius Garland only played one), Donovan Mitchell (2), Jarrett Allen (1), Jalen Duren (1), Tobias Harris (1), Isaiah Stewart (1)

Atkinson quotes: Said their spacing was an issue and the DET defenders “were like glue” on their handlers, said Detroit had more FTAs as a big difference, said they want Donovan to get into the paint more to draw fouls, said he didn’t have an update on Sam Merrill’s hamstring, said Max Strus and Dennis Schroder were “superchargers” for them, said he’ll look at how to tweak the bench rotation, said Wade did a fine job on Cade and they “slowed him up a tad,” said he was trying to find some new energy with a deeper rotation.  

Bicketstaff quotes: Said Duren’s impact was felt despite not having a huge stat line, said the Cavs know how to move the ball against them, said the Cavs have to put extra help on Cade and they moved the ball well out of that, said Holland stayed ready and they told the team that roles will change in the second round.

Stats and notes:

*Turnovers. Turnovers. Turnovers. The Cavs just can’t escape them as they turned it over 20 times, which led to 31 points off turnovers for the Pistons. The Pistons only turned it over 12 times, and that was really the only big advantage in Game 1. The Cavs had no tempo in this game with 86.0% of their possessions coming in the halfcourt, and they were a disaster in transition, too. Cleveland also couldn’t get to the line enough with just 16 FTAs to the Pistons’ 35. Detroit was able to get its pace going a bit more with just 78.9% of possessions in the halfcourt, which is somewhat tied to the turnovers from the Cavs. Both teams were able to hit the O boards, and the Pistons have really been trending the right way there for the last four games. The Cavs really have to cut out their self-inflicted mistakes. Detroit also just destroyed the Cavs late with a massive impact from Jalen Duren.

*Donovan Mitchell was in Ausar Thompson hell in Game 1, finishing with just 23/4/2 in 35 minutes. Mitchell just hasn’t been himself, and he’s only had 11 FTAs in his last seven games. That’s insane. Mitchell also isn’t driving as much, even with more playing time, and he just has to turn that up. Kenny Atkinson also has to play Mitchell more, which may happen because of no Sam Merrill. I still am not too interested in playing anyone against Ausar.