Adversity has a way of revealing character and Monday night, the Cleveland Cavaliers were out to get things headed back in the right direction. In front of their home crowd, the Cavs ended their three-game skid with a hard-fought 110-91 victory over the Detroit Pistons, led by former Cleveland head coach J.B. Bickerstaff and Cade Cunnigham. This win was not just a victory, but a statement of resilience and determination after a series of tough games. The Cavs weren't just on a three game skid, but were just 3-5 in their last eight games.
The win didn't come easy, nor was it pretty. The Cavs struggled from beyond the arc, shooting just 27.3% (12-44)—one of their worst three-point performances of the season. But what they lacked in perimeter accuracy, they more than made up for with hustle, defense, and dominance in the paint. Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson called the defensive effort “elite” and praised his squad for how well they defended the Pistons best player, Cade Cunningham.
Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen anchored Cleveland's effort, each notching a double-double. Mobley tallied 11 points and 14 rebounds, while Allen added 15 points and 11 boards. Their combined presence on both ends of the floor set the tone, particularly in the second half, when the Cavs clamped down defensively and pulled away.
The Cavaliers scored all five starters in double figures, led by Darius Garland's 22-point, 7-assist night. All-Star starter Donovan Mitchell chipped in 21 points and dished out six dimes. This win marked an important bounce-back for Cleveland, reminding the Eastern Conference that they're a force, even when not firing on all cylinders. With this win, the Cavaliers improve their record to 37-9 and are now 22-3 at home, the best mark in the NBA.
Next up, a trip to Miami to face the Heat. The Cavs loss the last matchup on December 8th, 122-113.