Thursday night the Cleveland Cavaliers headed to Little Caesars Arena to play the Detroit Pistons for the third time this season, losing in heartbreaking fashion 106-103 in the first game for both games following the All-Star break. Their first matchup was on Nov. 12 where the Cavs dominated their way to an emphatic win 98-78. The second, came less than a month ago on Jan. 30 when Detroit got their revenge winning 115-105. Cleveland will look to even up the series when they play Detroit for the last time this season on March 19.
With 67 ticks left on the clock, Cavaliers head coach J.B. Bickerstaff called a timeout with the game at this point tied up at 102 apiece. Out of the timeout, Lauri Markannen drew a foul, sinking 1 of 2 free throws, giving the Cavs a 1-point lead with 60 seconds left. Cade Cunningham would draw a foul, sinking both of his free throws, taking the lead back for Detroit 104-103.
From there, Cleveland’s next possession would be a whiff as Jarrett Allen would miss a layup. Cunningham would sink 2 more free throws extending their lead to 106-103. In the final 23 seconds of the game, the Cavs got 3 three-pointers off, but missed all, ending the game. One of them was a wide-open look from Brandon Goodwin.
The Cavs were shorthanded for this one as Darius Garland was out with lower back soreness and Caris LeVert was out with a right foot sprain, and is expected to miss 1-2 weeks, per a team release on Thursday.
Rajon Rondo filled in for Garland starting at point, recording 12 points and 9 assists, but did have 6 turnovers. Brandon Goodwin also received more playing time due to the absences, and put up 15 points, 5 assists and 4 rebounds. Both filled in admirably for the All-Star guard, but neither is my pick for the stud of the game.