Detroit did not ease into the second round. It kicked the door open.
The Pistons beat the Cavaliers 111-101 in Game 1 at Little Caesars Arena, riding a 37-point first quarter and making Cleveland play uphill all night. The Cavs tried to claw back behind Donovan Mitchell, James Harden and Max Strus, but Detroit had already set the game’s temperature: loud, physical, stubborn and just messy enough to feel like home.
Cade Cunningham did not shoot well, but he still controlled enough of the night with 23 points and seven assists. Tobias Harris added 20, Jalen Duren gave Detroit 11 points and 12 rebounds, and Duncan Robinson’s five threes hit like bad news every time Cleveland started believing again.
For the Cavs, Mitchell scored 23, Harden had 22, and Strus added 19, but Jarrett Allen’s quiet night hurt. Cleveland was never fully out of it, but it never really owned the game either. Detroit grabbed the wheel early and kept one hand on it until the finish.
Game 1 did not prove the Pistons are better. It proved they are not waiting for permission.
