Pistons take Game 1 from Cavaliers 111-101 behind balanced attack

Cade Cunningham didn't have his best night and the Pistons still went into Cleveland and grabbed Game 1. Detroit 111, Cavaliers 101 — and the box score tells the story. Cunningham: 23 points, 7 assists, doing his point-guard job. Tobias Harris: 20 points, the steady veteran. Duncan Robinson: 19 on 5-of-8 from three, splash specialist doing his job. Daniss Jenkins added 12. That's four guys in double figures contributing to a 12-game playoff losing streak getting snapped vs. Cleveland.

The Cavs almost stole it. Detroit led by 11 in the fourth before Cleveland ripped off an 11-0 run to tie at 93 with 5:28 left. James Harden was the engine — 13 of his 22 came in the final frame. Donovan Mitchell added 23. But Detroit answered with an 18-8 run to close the door. Cleveland never figured out how to slow Cunningham getting downhill late, and Harris and Robinson both hit timely jumpers when the Cavs got within striking distance.

This was the first matchup of the No. 1 seed in the East and a Pistons team most of the country still doesn't take seriously. They should now. Cunningham is in his first All-NBA season, the role players are deep, and they outscored the Cavs 18-8 in clutch minutes. Game 2 is Thursday before the series shifts to Detroit — and Cleveland is suddenly in trouble.