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Cavs Top 3: Poor defense seals the game for the Pistons

By Chad Porto

Apr 19, 2021; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Josh Jackson (20) dribbles on Cleveland Cavaliers guard Collin Sexton (2) in the second half at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 19, 2021; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Josh Jackson (20) dribbles on Cleveland Cavaliers guard Collin Sexton (2) in the second half at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Cavs mounted a big rally against the Pistons on Monday night, but defensive woes continue to plague the team. After overcoming a first-quarter closing score of 37-22, the Cavs rallied and even had the game tied up in the fourth quarter, but poor perimeter defense sunk the Cavs yet again, as the Cavaliers were unable to contain the Pistons young wings; causing the Pistons to go over the good guys 109-105.

Cleveland saw some solid performances from the lineup, with the band of usual suspects doing damage. More on them later. Tauren Prince and Isaiah Hartenstein came off the bench and each put up double digits, 13 for Hartenstein and 11 for Prince, respectively. Hartenstein continues to be a presence on both sides of the court, even to the point that Cleveland pulled and sat the struggling Jarrett Allen in the waning minutes of the fourth quarter.

For the Pistons, former Duke guard Frank Jackson hurt the Cavaliers mightly with 20 points off the bench, but it was Saddiq Bey and Isaiah Stewart who really did the damage against the Cavs. Bey dropped 20 points on 50% shooting, while Stewart went for 18 points and 16 rebounds, embarrassing Allen along the way.

Top 3 Game Performers

1 Point – Darius Garland

Yes, Darius Garland put up 23 points, but he was awful from three and had three turnovers. Not only that but he got scorched by the Pistons defense all night. Ok, sure, he had 23 points though.

2 Points – Kevin Love

Kevin Love wasn’t great tonight either, going 0-4 from three-point, but he was 7-11 from inside the three-point arc. He shot just over 50% from the floor, with 15 points and eight rebounds for a solid outing.

3 Points – Collin Sexton

If this was just about defense, Collin Sexton may never make the list because he just doesn’t know how to play defense. He tries to stip the ball when he should take a charge, he can’t get in front of a player and gets taken to the hole way too easily. Yet, he shot 60% tonight and put up 28 points. So that’s something. I guess.

Next. Cavs Top 3: Shorthanded Bulls fend off struggling Cavs. dark

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