The best team in the Eastern Conference played like it on Wednesday. Now, the Detroit Pistons must play their first home playoff game in seven years from a deep hole after losing twice in Cleveland.
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LOOK AHEAD
The Pistons aren’t afraid of the top-seeded Cavaliers, but they are heading home down 0-2 in the series after falling 107-90 in Wednesday’s Game 2. The Pistons, to a man, expressed confidence that they could beat the Cavs, and that confidence was realized when Detroit jumped out to a first quarter lead. But, much like Game 1, the Pistons couldn’t maintain the pace and the Cavs were able to pull away in the second half.
There was nothing easy about their first two wins and the Cavs, favored to win the Eastern Conference and return to the NBA Finals, will have their work cut out when the series resumes on Friday night in Detroit. But, after tying an NBA record with 20 three-pointers in Game 2, the Cavaliers are feeling pretty good about their chances.
INJURIES
Cleveland’s Mo Williams was originally listed as questionable for Game 2, but did not play as the soreness in his knee persists. It was an optimistic status given that he’d missed the team’s previous four games, and he should be considered questionable for Game 3. Even if he does return, it’s unlikely Williams would be used much considering he’s the third point guard on the roster.
KEY MATCHUP
The Cavaliers are counting on J.R. Smith, who had a rough postseason last year when he was suspended in the first round and shot poorly in the NBA Finals. His outside shooting on Wednesday was a welcomed addition for the Cavs, who got 81 points from LeBron James, Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving in Game 1 but can’t count on that production from them every time out.
Smith scored only nine points in the opener, but that didn’t stop him from firing away on Wednesday. He made seven of Cleveland’s NBA playoff record-tying 20 threes in 11 attempts for his only buckets of the game. With the Pistons focusing their attention on Love, Smith took advantage, scoring 21 points. He drained two threes in the first quarter then added three more long balls in the second quarter. Smith was one of three Cavs to top the 20-mark in the game. Long known as a streaky long-ball shooter, Smith adds another dimension to the Cavs offense when he’s dialed in, which the Pistons will be hard pressed to stop.
QUICK PICK
The Pistons tried to be physical with the Cavs during the first two games of the series. It hasn’t worked. They’ve tried trash talking and getting a mental edge. That hasn’t worked either. The Cavs are focused and healthy, which is bad news for the rest of the Eastern Conference teams.
James and the veteran group understand the games are 48 minutes and they don’t get rattled. Cleveland fell behind early in each of the first two, but was able to turn it on in the second half to get the victories. The city of Detroit will witness its first postseason NBA game since 2009 and the Palace will be rockin. The Cavs will take Detroit’s best shot over the first 24 minutes and, like Games 1 and 2, will prevail with a strong second half.
NBA Odds: Cleveland 108, Detroit 103
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Real-time spreads, totals, props and moneyline odds are all available by clicking here so start betting with BookMaker today! The matchup between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Detroit Pistons will take place Friday, April 22, 2016, at 7 p.m. ET at The Palace of Auburn Hills. The game will be televised nationally on ESPN.
