Pistons go up 2-0 on Cavaliers after 107-97 Game 2 win

Detroit just did the hard part twice. The Pistons went into Cleveland, won both games, and left with a 2-0 lead in the Eastern Conference semifinals after a 107-97 Game 2 win on Thursday night. That matters because road splits are usually the goal in this spot — Detroit got both. And now the pressure has flipped entirely onto the Cavaliers. (apnews.com) ### How did Detroit win this one? The simple version is that Detroit looked calmer for longer. Cade Cunningham ran the offense, Tobias Harris gave them sturdy scoring again, and the Pistons had five players finish in double figures. Cleveland made its pushes, especially early in the fourth, but Detroit kept answering in(apnews.com)h one wild hot streak, they’re winning with control. (apnews.com) ### What did Cade Cunningham actually do? He put up 25 points, 10 assists, three rebounds and two blocks, which is already a star line before you get to the historical part. The bigger thing is how he got there. He didn’t need to force every possession. He read the floor, got Detroit organized, and then took over when t(apnews.com)d 12 points and basically re-centered the game around him. (apnews.com) ### Why is the history piece a big deal? Because this is not some cherry-picked “youngest player on Tuesdays” stat. Cunningham has now scored at least 20 points in each of his first 15 playoff games. That puts him with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, LeBron James and Anthony Davis — a very short list, and a useful one, because it (apnews.com)r from day one. (nba.com) ### Where did Cleveland lose control? Depth and rhythm. Donovan Mitchell scored 31, but the Cavaliers never really turned that into full-game command. Detroit kept dragging them into half-court possessions, contesting without panicking, and getting enough secondary offense to avoid the usual “star-or-bust” proble(nba.com)ead, Detroit answered immediately and finished the game with more force. (apnews.com) ### Why does Tobias Harris matter so much here? Because he’s making Cunningham’s life easier. Harris scored 21 points in Game 2 after another strong Game 1, and that changes the geometry of the series. Cleveland can’t just load up on Cunningham and hope the rest of the offense stalls. Harris has been the release valve —(apnews.com)cond option can be the difference between “competitive” and “up 2-0.” (apnews.com) ### So what changes going back to Cleveland? The building changes. The math does not. The Cavaliers still need four wins, but now they need to climb out of an 0-2 hole against a team that looks more connected on both ends. Detroit doesn’t need to chase style points from here. It needs one road-level punch at home — one game where Cunningham controls tempo again and the supporting cast stays on script. (apnews.com) ### What’s the real takeaway? Detroit has stopped looking like a nice surprise and started looking like the more reliable team in the matchup. That can change fast in the playoffs — one huge Cleveland response would reset the mood. But through two games, the Pistons have had the best player, the steadier offense, and the cleaner late-game execution. That is why 2-0 feels earned, not fluky. (apnews.com)