How The Cavs Figured Out The Pistons

How The Cavs Figured Out The Pistons

May 15, 2026



How The Cavs Figured Out The Pistons

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After going down 0-2 in Detroit, the Cleveland Cavaliers have exploded offensively, and stormed back to take a 3-2 lead over the Pistons. But what actually changed to give them an NBA playoff advantage?

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View Comments (44)

  2. Watching game 5 felt like the Cavs would stall out but Struss was the perfect release valve. It struck me that he saved at least 5 dead possessions by just making a tough 3 with no advantage created.

  6. The Cavaliers finally unlocked their bigs, and that's been the key difference. I picked Cavs to win because I felt their double bigs, when used properly, could more than keep up with Detroit on the glass. The Cavaliers finally learned how to use their bigs properly. They also learned how to use Harden in ways outside iso-ball. Let's hope Cavs can win it, since I'd love to see them make a finals appearance without LeBron.

  10. Knicks have played 2 bad defenses in a row. Cavs have played 2 top 5 defenses in a row. Knicks are a good defensive team but not top 5. Knicks are going to be surprised when the cavs split 1-1 the first two games in NY

  11. Also they’ve attempted almost 100 free throws in three games to the pistons roughly 50. Pistons have played terrible these playoffs and I think this series doesn’t matter much. I just hope the refs crack down on the okc, harden, sengun thing of just throwing themselves on the ground for calls. It’s awful to watch and I think the league would be a lot healthier and more fun if they cracked down on that.

  14. Harden’s work in pick and roll to get the initial advantage has been underrated. Pistons have played at the level that allows a slip or a short roll which then they can move the ball to the weakside creating a 4 on 3

  19. The Cavs are pretty good aren't they. You can make shots when the offense is actually working(in rhythm) instead the standard "we just missed open looks" excuse, which misses the point. No wonder Robinson's back hurt.
    And now they can play Mitchell off ball because they don't have to worry about Garland and his issues since Harden is so durable and a great handler, as well as Mobley.
    What's next…

  22. Jarrett Allen has been underrated since he was in Brooklyn. Imagine if he added a 10 to 15 foot mid range jumper… in January I believed Cleveland was the best team in the east. I still believe that

  24. Merrill playing isn't an adjustment… He got hurt in game 1 and didn't play game 2 — coincidentally they lost both. Back in game 3 and everything has rolled back into place.

  26. detroit is suffering from last year okc syndrome too much defense not enough offense problem is it’s still worse then last year okc in every way. cavs will be tough vs my knicks but we got it in 6 maybe 7

  29. Unlocking Evan in the high pick and roll is key, because he has demonstrated that he is an adept passer. He can either feed JA in the dunker spot or kick it out to a shooter for a wide open look. I really wish Evan's game mid range expanded to where you can regularly use him in the pick and pop. That action would be so problematic for opposing teams. Either way, the ball and bodies cannot stick. There has to be constant movement.

  32. Really informative. I just started watching basketball casually and I missed so much of these shifts going on in the background. Harden going through the paint to come get his own pass back to shoot a 3 was brilliant.

  34. None of this matters if the refs just blow the whistle fairly on both sides 😂
    54 FT's to 100 in favor of Cavs in the last 3 games
    Mitchell had more Ft's than the entire Pistons team in game 4
    Harden almost had as many than the entire Pistons team in game 5

  36. NO! Detroit is being cheated! I thought I wasn’t going to see those types in your comment section but…… I was wrong. Stop f-ing fouling! The only reason they don’t call more is because the game will never be over with! Look at the video and see the fouls game 1 and 2! 😅 But seriously. I don’t know if Detroit can answer for real. The whole team plan is aggressive (borderline fouling) defense to make teams play at their level. There is a reason for that. The offensive level is suspect. All Cavs have to do is keep playing like they are. Do not submit to their will and they will be fine. Even if the Cavs lose I don’t understand how anyone looked at Detroit and the Celtics like contenders. Detroit only has Cade, defense, and role players. Your starters should not be role players. The Celtics traded away a lot of key pieces to their championship run and not have replaced them, have 2 starters that are key players, and died by the 3.

  42. Pistons and Cade alone with one lung is too burnt out and tired thanks to JB who Donovan Mitchell had fired from the Cavs. Now ironically he responsible for his career again if he loses this series. JB is fired as Pistons coach and Tobias and Duncan might hit the free agent market again to add some new pieces. They just went a 7 game series with a play in 8th seed fighting on the ropes from elimination being down 3-1. Now yo extend this to 14 games in total is like dessert for the Knicks with either team when Knicks scoring about 145 to 150ppg this playoffs and the boards and second chance shots and defense got efficient with Mitch and OG on the wing. Then have Kat playing PG center along with Brunson on the give and go pick and roll. It's over for whomever Knicks play and honestly they so confident and strong they don't care they like Dogs ready to be let out the Kennel to play and fight.

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