The Detroit Pistons have taken a 2-0 lead on the Cleveland Cavaliers in the conference semifinals with their 107-97 victory Thursday, May 7. This comes two days after the Pistons beat the Cavaliers 111-101 in Game 1.
And while both contests were played on the Pistons' home court, Little Caesars Arena – so not entirely unexpected outcomes – Cleveland had chances in both games to steal a win on the road. But for the second game in a row, Cavaliers star James Harden struggled – especially in the first half.
The Cavaliers acquired Harden, a three-time scoring champ and 11-time All-Star at this year's trade deadline, in part to help them make a deeper run in the playoffs than last year, when, as the top seed in the East, they were upset by the Indiana Pacers 4-1 in the conference semifinals.
If Cleveland wants to go deeper this year, they will need Harden to knock down more shots, be much more accurate on his 3-point shooting, increase his assists and tone down his turnovers.
He finished the night with just 10 points, while shooting 3-for-13 from the field and committed a crucial turnover with 30 seconds remaining in Game 2 with Cleveland down six points and trying to rally.
