DETROIT, MICHIGAN - MAY 05: Ausar Thompson #9 of the Detroit Pistons dunks against the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game One of the Second Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs at Little Caesars Arena on May 05, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees t hat, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) | Getty Images The Detroit Pistons are up 2-0 on the Cleveland Cavaliers due to their relentless intensity on both ends. The Cavs aren’t just folding; Detroit is putting them in positions to fail. Any headline about this series should lead with what Detroit is doing right instead of what Cleveland is failing at. Detroit can force mainstream media to lead with them if they take a commanding 3-0 lead Saturday afternoon.  The Cavs have been a different team in Cleveland in the postseason, but the Pistons are road warriors. Their 24-point comeback in Orlando gave them even more belief that they can barge into anyone’s home and kick their feet up. GAME VITALS Where:  Rocket Arena, Cleveland, Ohio When: 3:00 PM EST Watch: Peacock/NBC Odds: Pistons (+3.5) Analysis  The Cavs have tanked on the road in these playoffs. They’ve averaged 100 points in five road losses. At home, they explode with 120 points and have yet to lose at the Rocket Arena. Detroit can change that if they ratchet up the pressure on Cleveland’s guards. James Harden may be dealing with something, but his play has not been up to par.  It’s not going down like this because he is a playoff choker. Cade Cunningham and Ausar Thompson are legit defenders who take matchups personally. Harden’s theatrics got Ausar in foul trouble, but the results of that were Ron Holland minutes. That’s not an easier task for Harden. There are dawgs everywhere in Detroit.  Some speak on the Cavs and Harden’s turnovers like it’s easy to just stop flipping the ball vs this Pistons defense. Detroit has made teams and players with tight ball security morph into revolving turnover doors all season. That’s what they do.  Cade is showing what superstars do. Cade’s 20-point streak to start his playoff career should remind everyone that Detroit has one of the future faces of our game. In crunch time, Cade Cunningham makes plays!Yet another example occurred last night 🔥He became the 4th player in NBA history to score 20+ points in each of his first 15 career postseason games!Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (27)LeBron James (19)Anthony Davis (16) pic.twitter.com/by9iMdRkfi— NBA (@NBA) May 8, 2026 He has clearly outplayed Cavs star Donovan Mitchell. Cade comes alive in the clutch, while Mitchell has not yet. Mitchell is due for one of those playoff explosions. It seems like he was flowing after hitting that bank shot, but Detroit bottled him up in the fourth quarter. Evan Mobley has been in a straitjacket. He’s been invisible for stretches over the first two games. The Pistons bigs are handling their business winning the physicality battle. That was an advantage coming into this series, and it must be doubled down on to go up 3-0. Good Mobley usually means good Cavs. It’s paramount that Detroit continues to slow down arguably the Cavs most important player.  Jalen Duren’s stats aren’t head-turning, but his approach has been better this series. If nothing else, he is drawing 4.5 fouls per game vs Cleveland compared to 2.7 against Orlando (PivotFade). Duren has been more aggressive and can get even better. As the saying goes, role players play better at home. So expect Jaylon Tyson, Dennis Schröder, Max Strus, and Dean Wade to look a bit better. Their best shooter, Sam Merrill, remains questionable with a hamstring injury. Their role players should step up at home, but Detroit’s need to replicate what they’ve done. Duncan Robinson is on a heater. Maybe he doesn’t average five 3s in Cleveland, but he’s forcing the Cavs to guard him.  Daniss Jenkins and Tobias Harris are as well. Their off-the-dribble juice has given Cleveland trouble. Cleveland choosing to ignore these players like Orlando did is detrimental because they are rolling now.  Detroit can go up 3-0 and shift the conversation. This series has not been about Cleveland’s downfall. And this series is certainly not about Cade having help and Mitchell having none.  If Mobley, Harden, Jarrett Allen, and the Cavs’ role players aren’t stepping up, it’s because those dawgs in Detroit continue to shut their water off. That is how that should be framed. This defense has made great players uncomfortable all year. LINEUPS Detroit Pistons (2-0): Cade Cunningham, Duncan Robinson, Ausar Thompson, Tobias Harris, Jalen Duren Cleveland Cavaliers (0-2): James Harden, Donovan Mitchell, Dean Wade, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen QUESTION OF THE DAY Have your thoughts on Tobias Harris changed due to these playoffs? ...read more read less