Cavaliers Make Statement Against Eastern Conference Leading Pistons

For most of Friday night's road showdown with the Detroit Pistons, the Cleveland Cavaliers appeared poised to make a pretty big statement about the hierarchy of the Eastern Conference. 

Cleveland led for more than 31 minutes, and had a commanding nine-point lead with 2:44 to go in regulation. Then Evan Mobley missed a free throw with six seconds left to keep it a one-score game, 114-111. Then Jaylon Tyson fouled Daniss Jackson too late in his hail mary heavy to try and tie the game.

Jackson made his free throws, forced overtime, and the Pistons were able to survive at home. The shorthanded Cavs felt that they let one get away, so much so in fact, that an anonymous player told Cleveland.com's Chris Fedor that the wine and gold have zero fear of the upstart Pistons. 

Four days later and with James Harden at least back in the lineup, Cleveland had a chance to back the comments against the Pistons at home and did it, 113-109. 

"A little bit," Mobley said about whether the game felt like a statement. "I feel like we know what we're capable of. First game we had em and just didn't finish the game how we were supposed to and this game we had em and we finished the game. I feel like we're in a good spot right now, we just gotta keep focusing and looking ahead at what's next." 

With Donovan Mitchell still sidelined due to a groin injury, Mobley was a key contributor for the wine and gold, dropping 18 point to go along with 5 rebounds and 4 assists.

The general consensus from inside the locker room was that the game was less of a "we told you so," and more of an internal confirmation that they know who they are as a team, and where they stand in the east. 

"It's another game," said veteran guard Dennis Schroder. "Of course, against the best team in the NBA right now, stats-wise and seeding-wise, but I think we did our job tonight. We let one slip on Friday in Detroit, we could have won that one as well. But we showed that we can play with them. Obviously, they're a great group, a talented group, but we not bad either." 

Schroder provided arguably his best games in a Cavs uniform, dropping 15 points, 5 assists, and 5 rebounds off the bench. In a game that had a playoff-esque atmosphere, he leaned into it. 

So too did Tyson, who paced the team with 22 points and for a second straight matchup with Detroit seemed to set the tone for the rest of the team for how the game was going to go. 

Tyson felt Friday's end-of-game disaster was a learning experience for him and the team. 

"Honestly, our last three games have been close [down the stretch]," said Tyson. "More and more experience I get personally as a young guy, more and more I see, more and more I learn, super grateful for that experience." 

Tyson was adamant, however, that there's still work to do before the playoffs, especially if these two teams meet again. 

"Our late game, it still needs to improve," said Tyson. But like I said, this team has only been together for a couple weeks now. Really no practice, so we really haven't gotten to work on none of this stuff, it's kind of just go out there an play. So I think, come playoff time we'll have it down."

Cavs Roundtable also offers a fan community and message board. We’d love to have you join us to talk all things Cavs. Click the “Join” button at the top of the page to join our community for free.