Pistons host Cavs in Game 2

Detroit grabbed the game that changes a series. The Pistons beat the Cavaliers 107-97 on Thursday, May 7, at Little Caesars Arena and now lead this Eastern Conference semifinal 2-0. That matters because Cleveland came in with the bigger recent playoff résumé, but Detroit has looked like the more settled team through two games. The gap right now is pretty simple — the Pistons have a closer, a shape, and answers late. (freep.com) ### What actually swung Game 2? Cade Cunningham did. He finished with 25 points and 10 assists, but the key detail is when the scoring came — 12 of those points landed in the fourth quarter, right when the game was still there for either side. Detroit didn’t blow Cleveland out early. The Pistons just kept the game organized until Cunningham could take it over. (nba.com) ### Who helped him close it? Tobias Harris gave Detroit 21 points, which kept the offense from tilting into a one-man show. Duncan Robinson hit a tiebreaking 3-pointer with 9:40 left, and that shot felt bigger than three points because it snapped the tension and forced Cleveland to chase. Jalen Duren also gave Detroit 10 rebounds, so the Pistons weren’t giving away extra possessions. (espn.com) ### What did Cleveland get right? Donovan Mitchell still looked like the most dangerous scorer on the floor for long stretches. He had 31 points, and Cleveland made its push in the third quarter by finally getting some rhythm and cutting into Detroit’s early control. The problem is that the Cavaliers never fully owned the game. They kept reaching level, then Detroit answered. (espn.com) ### Why does 2-0 feel so heavy? Because this wasn’t a split on the road. Detroit protected home court twice and did it in a way that suggests the formula is repeatable — defend, survive the rough patches, then let Cunningham solve the last six minutes. A 2-0 lead doesn’t end a series, but it changes every decision the trailing team makes. Cleveland now has to coach and play with almost no slack. (nba.com) ### Is this just a hot streak? Maybe partly, but it looks bigger than that. Detroit won 60 games in the regular season and went 31-9 at home, so this isn’t some random underdog heater. The Pistons have been one of the East’s best teams all year, and this series is starting to look like confirmation rather than surprise. (espn.com)nd now? Late-game control. The Cavaliers can still score, and Mitchell can still bend a defense by himself, but Detroit has been calmer when possessions get expensive. That’s usually what separates a dangerous team from a real contender — not the highlight plays, but who can still run normal offense when everybody’s tired (espn.com)gh two games. (nba.com) ### What should you watch next? Game 3 is less about tactics than nerve. If Cleveland wins at home, the series tightens immediately. But if Detroit steals that one too, this stops being an upset watch and starts looking like a fast-track arrival for a Pistons group that suddenly seems very comfortable on this stage. (espn.com)stons win. It was the kind of win that tells you who owns the series right now — and through two games, that team is Detroit. (freep.com)