Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Detroit Pistons 118-100 in a preseason game on Tuesday at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, Ohio. The Cavaliers improved to 1-3, while Detroit fell to 1-2.
Cleveland jumped out to an early lead with a 42-point first quarter, outscoring Detroit 42-31. Donovan Mitchell scored 13 points in the opening period, while Evan Mobley contributed six rebounds and two assists. Jarrett Allen added four points and two blocks to anchor the defense.
Detroit struggled with turnovers, committing 15 in the game. Tobias Harris led the Pistons with 19 points in 22 minutes, while Duncan Robinson also added 19 points, including three 3-pointers. Ausar Thompson scored nine points before being substituted early in the second quarter.
The Cavaliers’ bench provided a strong boost. Larry Nance Jr. recorded 15 points and nine rebounds, and Dean Wade added 10 points in 22 minutes. Lonzo Ball chipped in nine points and three assists before leaving the game in the fourth quarter.
Cleveland’s offense was balanced, with Mitchell finishing with 17 points, five assists, and three steals. Allen posted 15 points, six rebounds, and two blocks, while Mobley added eight points and six rebounds. Sam Merrill contributed 10 points, including two three-pointers.
Detroit kept pace in the second quarter, scoring 26 points, but Cleveland maintained control with consistent scoring from the starters and bench. Isaiah Stewart contributed six points, while Jalen Duren added eight points in limited minutes. The Pistons shot 46.6% from the field and 33.3% from three-point range.
The Cavaliers dominated the second half, outscoring Detroit 56-43. Cleveland shot 47.1% overall and 39.5% from beyond the arc. The team forced key turnovers, with Mitchell recording three steals and Mobley adding two. Cleveland also held a 42-40 advantage on the boards despite Detroit’s size inside.
Cleveland’s balanced scoring and defensive intensity prevented Detroit from mounting a comeback. The Pistons struggled to capitalize on second-chance opportunities, recording just 15 offensive rebounds compared to Cleveland’s 13, despite more attempts.
