James Harden don turn in im worst playoff game as a Cavalier, as Cleveland Cavaliers lose 107-97 for Game 2 against Detroit Pistons. Di season now come down to dem defending dia home stand.
Di Cavs once again start dis game down by double digits. Careless turnovers and poor three-point shooting add up quick for NBA Playoffs. Even more so when you dey play against a 60-win team wey get capacity to burn you.
Dis game start with both Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen practically hand di ball straight to Duncan Robinson for separate plays. James Harden and Donovan Mitchell join dem, coughing am up throughout di first half for five combined turnovers. Di Cavs get nine turnovers overall by halftime.
Harden especially bad for di opening half. E start di night shooting 1-9 from di floor with 3 turnovers to just 1 assist. Some of im decision-making as puzzling as e get. E now get 30 career playoff games with more turnovers than made field goals.
Di margin for error for di playoffs remarkably small, and e continue to shrink di further you go. For all di credit wey Detroit deserve, di Cavs no dey give demselves chance with di way dem dey turn am over.
Cleveland saving grace na to get to di free-throw line. Dem attempt 12 free throws for di first half. Dat help dem make up for a 3-14 start from downtown and keep di Pistons from totally running away with dis one. Dis put di Cavs for position to rally for di second half.
Di Cavs flip di script, only turning am over once until di final minutes of di fourth quarter (when Harden dribble im way into a trap). Mitchell come alive for di first time for dis series, scoring 31 points. E still settle for some difficult jumpers wey e no suppose take, but overall, Mitchell attack di basket with more intention dan e get for weeks.
Dis spark from Mitchell help di Cavs pull back into di game and even take a momentary lead for di fourth quarter. Dat quickly evaporate, as Tobias Harris (21 points) and Duncan Robinson (17 points) hit timely shots to close di door. Cade Cunningham pour in 25 points and 10 assists for di Pistons.
Cleveland go back home feeling like dem fit don win any of di first two games, but dem stay for a 0-2 hole regardless. Detroit score 31 points off Cleveland 20 turnovers.
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