Turnover struggles undermine Pistons’ strong showing against Cavs
Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen (31) dunks in front of Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) in the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Oct. 25, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki) APAP
For the second straight game, Cade Cunningham came out of the second half asserting himself in the Pistons’ offense.
With 3:14 left in the third quarter of Friday’s contest at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, Cunningham hit a pullup jumper to score his 12th point of the period and 30th of the game. It marked back-to-back games in which he scored double figures in the third quarter, as he had 18 in the same period on opening night.
As well as he shot the ball (14-of-24 for 33 points), his turnovers were a key factor in the Pistons losing 113-101 to the Cavaliers.
Along with adding six rebounds and four assists, Cunningham had nine turnovers, four of which came in the first quarter.
“I thought he was great again,” Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff told reporters after the loss. “I think we’re seeing what he’s capable of, how he can carry a team.
“Obviously we talked to him about the turnovers, and he was aware of that. But I thought, again, he had a great floor game.”
Overall, the Pistons committed 22 turnovers, which led to 32 Cavaliers points. In addition to Cunningham, Isaiah Stewart had three in 11 minutes of action, while Jaden Ivey and Paul Reed each had two. Six other players each turned in one.
“It’s tough. When you turn the ball over against a good basketball team, you just get empty possessions,” Bickerstaff said. “Like, 22 empty possessions is hard to overcome.”
The loss sent the Pistons to 0-2 to begin their 2024-25 campaign, as they fell short to the Pacers in the season opener. It also spoiled Bickerstaff’s homecoming, his first game coaching in Cleveland since being fired as Cavaliers head coach in May.
Aside from the turnovers and allowing the Cavaliers to outscore them in the paint (44-34), the Pistons played well enough to pick up a win.
