Marcus Morris also contributed 20 points (19 in first half) and Andre Drummond chipped in another double-double (13 points, 11 rebounds), but it ultimately wasn’t enough.
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Even if the Cavaliers resort to intentionally fouling Drummond, if he can shoot near 50 percent he can likely stay in the game.
Here are other things to watch as the Cavs and Pistons meet in the postseason for the first time since 2008-09, when Cleveland won in four games. We know we can beat them in seven games. Cleveland took the lead less than two minutes later and never gave it back. After returning mid-season from a knee injury that occurred during last season’s postseason, PG Kyrie Irving has found success on offense with just under 20 points per game and 5 assists.
And that will prove to be a tough task for the young core of the Pistons who are hoping that they continue their growth and eventually be one of the better teams in the league.
Jackson is the outlier in the group in that he is the only starter who came into the series with playoff experience.
Dwyane Wade scored 16 points in 26 minutes, Joe Johnson and Amare Stoudemire each had 11 points, and Goran Dragic finished with 10 assists.
Meanwhile, the Pistons have experienced up and downs during the regular season, but was able to finish eighth in the East, getting the final playoff berth.
For Cavs coach Tyronn Lue, this is his first National Basketball Association postseason and it remains to be seen how he’ll react to it with decisions from the bench. These two met four times during the season, with Detroit winning and covering the spread in three of the four meetings, including both meetings in Cleveland.
While the Cavs would ultimately surrender the comeback Irving, Love, and James led in the third quarter early on in the fourth, it was an important response for the Cavs after their first playoff halftime gut check.
“I just feel like I’m in a good place”, Irving said. Those games have some meaning but this is playoff time and anything can happen.
“My mentality was to be aggressive all night, ” said Love, who added 13 rebounds. Reggie Jackson is averaging 17 points and seven assists while Tobias Harris is averaging nine points and 10 rebounds.
Detroit has allowed an average of 102.7 points per away game this season. We trust the process that he’s put in, and the game plan going into Sunday we trust.
Nic Batum scored 24 points for the Hornets.
Be sure to join The Roar for live scores of this playoffs match from 5am (AEST) and don’t forget to add your own comments in the section below as the action unfolds.
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Love not only played in the fourth quarter, he played the entire fourth quarter, and Stan Van Gundy credited his performance at center for a lot of the Pistons troubles.
