Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham dribbles past Cleveland Cavaliers guard Dennis Schroder during Game 2 of the Eastern Conference semifinals. (Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images)
The Cleveland Cavaliers face immense pressure heading into Game 3 on Saturday afternoon, as they trail the top-seeded Detroit Pistons 2-0 in the Eastern Conference semifinal series. The Cavaliers have been perfect at home with a 4-0 playoff record but are winless on the road at 0-5. “We had plenty of chances both games, but we just didn’t make shots,” said Cavaliers guard James Harden. “In the fourth quarter, we were either tied (in Game 1) or did go ahead (in Game 2). Our margin for error isn’t a large margin. It’s 2-0. They did what they did at home. We have to do the same.”
Cunningham has been the dominant force, averaging 24.0 points, 8.5 assists, and a series-high 42 minutes per game. He scored 12 points in the final 5:47 of Game 2 to secure a 107-97 victory, outplaying Harden, who managed only two points in 19 second-half minutes. “Our closer was a closer,” Pistons guard Daniss Jenkins said. “We know if we can do our job on the defensive end, he’s going to get us a good look. He’s an MVP candidate, for sure.”
Cunningham’s streak of 20-plus-point games in his first 15 playoff appearances ranks as the fourth-longest in NBA history, trailing only Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, LeBron James, and Anthony Davis. The Pistons have now won five straight games since trailing 3-1 to the Orlando Magic in the first round. “We never lost composure,” Cunningham said. “We just stayed poised, stuck to our principles, stuck to our system and just turned up the energy a little bit. I enjoy winning. I just enjoy my team. I don’t want my season to end.”
Harden, who is shooting 32.1% from the field and 9.1% from three-point range in the series, has struggled with 11 turnovers and just 10 assists. Cleveland coach Kenny Atkinson, guard Donovan Mitchell, and others continue to support him. “We’ve got to make James’ and Don’s job a little easier,” forward Dean Wade
