Detroit Pistons beat Cleveland Cavaliers 111-101 at home on Tuesday, May 5, never trailing at a quarter break.
The game, quarter by quarter
The Pistons had the better start, winning the first 37-21 to lead by 16 after one. The Cavaliers cut into the deficit with a 25-22 second quarter, though the Pistons still led by 13 at halftime.
The Cavaliers won the third 30-24 to stay in front, taking a 7-point lead into the fourth. The Pistons took the fourth 28-25; the Pistons finished the job for a 111-101 regulation win.
What decided it
The Pistons took better care of the ball, turning it over on 11.7% of possessions compared with 20% for the Cavaliers. The Pistons made 32.1 free throws per 100 field-goal attempts, compared with 18.8 for the Cavaliers. Those extra possessions were crucial.
The Cavaliers did win one battle, shooting: eFG% of 53.8% against 50%. The Pistons made up for it elsewhere.
At roughly 95 possessions per team, the Pistons produced 117.2 points per 100 possessions to 106.6 for the Cavaliers.
The Pistons' reserves also made a difference, outscoring the opposing bench 34-18.
Who made the difference
James Harden was the game's biggest individual force for CLE: 22 pts, 8 reb, 7 ast on 6-15 shooting. His Game Score of 16.2 led everyone. His team was -7 with him on the floor.
Tobias Harris led the Pistons with 20 pts, 8 reb, 1 ast on 6-14 shooting, good for a 15.3 Game Score.
Jalen Duren (11 pts, 12 reb, 4 ast) recorded a double-double.
What it means
The result fit the pre-game Win Meter, which gave the Pistons about a 74% chance.
Across the last 8 meetings in our records, Cleveland Cavaliers lead 5-3.
Written automatically by Tip Off Live software from box score data. Ratings and probabilities are our own model estimates.