Cavs: 3 takeaways from 115-100 win at Pistons on Monday

The Cleveland Cavaliers were able to get back in the win column and snap their seven-game losing streak with a 115-100 victory at the Detroit Pistons on Monday. We’ll hit on a few takeaways from that one.

First off, it was good to see both the Cleveland Cavaliers and Detroit Pistons teams start their game off on Monday paying tribute to NBA legend/icon for the Los Angeles Lakers, Kobe Bryant, who tragically passed away.

Bryant, his daughter, Gianna, who was just 13, and unfortunately seven others reportedly passed away entirely too soon in a helicopter crash on Sunday in Calabasas, California.

The Cavs and Pistons have done what teams league-wide have done since to start the game in taking a 24 second shot clock violation and eight second shot clock violation, the two numbers Bryant wore during his illustrious career.

Here was that moment.

I also thought it was really cool that Pistons players also had Bryant’s name and number on their jerseys for pregame introductions and a moment of silence before the contest.

Kobe Bryant is one of the pillars in NBA history who is an all-time great, and he’s done so much for the game worldwide. This is a dark time for the NBA, and emotions are running high everywhere. RIP Mamba and Gianna, you’ll never be forgotten, and my thoughts and prayers go out to the Bryant family and all families involved.

That includes the families of John and Keri Altobelli, along with their daughter, Alyssa, as they have two other children in Alexis and J.J. Altobelli, along with the families of Christina Mauser, Sarah and Payton Chester, and Ara Zobayan, per CBS LA.

Anyhow, in the game, the Cavs were able to get a much-needed win and snap a seven-game losing streak, while improving to 13-34. This was a good sign for the Cavaliers after a frustrating prior week and even going back to the game at the Chicago Bulls the previous Saturday.

Turnover problems, which are understandable from a starting backcourt this young with Darius Garland and Collin Sexton have been a big part of the Cavs’ issues this past week, and this season as a whole.

Cleveland has averaged the second-most turnovers per game in 2019-20, as noted by NBA.com.

The Cavs did have 10 turnovers in the first half on Monday, but only finished with 13 for the game, according to ESPN. That number on the season would be tied for fourth-best in the league with the San Antonio Spurs, and it’s a big upgrade from the 20-plus turnover games they’ve had recently, and even against the Bulls in their second meeting of late on Saturday.

This game also featured the anticipated return of rookie wing Kevin Porter Jr.

Porter gave the second unit a much-needed boost in this game as well. He understandably looked rusty early as he was working his way back from a reported left knee sprain, and unfortunately suffered what looked to be a reported minor right ankle sprain near the end of the first half, but he came back, and all things considered, had a solid showing.

He scored nine points off the bench on four-of-eight shooting, and came up with some big plays defensively with three steals and a block in 16 minutes, as shown by ESPN. He also was in the lineup and played a big role when the Cavs ultimately pulled away in the third quarter, in terms of getting to the basket and he came up with a steal.

It was nice to see KPJ back on the court and make some key plays to help the Cleveland Cavaliers win. With that said, here are the three biggest takeaways from this game.