CLEVELAND — In an exciting home opener, the Cleveland Cavaliers secured a 113-101 victory over the Detroit Pistons on Friday night, with both Donovan Mitchell and Dean Wade contributing 19 points each. This game marked a successful debut at home for new head coach Kenny Atkinson, as the Cavaliers improved to a 2-0 record while extending their winning streak against the Pistons to ten consecutive games. Jarrett Allen also made a notable impact, finishing with 17 points and 11 rebounds.
The atmosphere was mixed for former Cavaliers coach J.B. Bickerstaff, who returned to Cleveland following his dismissal after last season, during which he successfully led the Cavaliers to the Eastern Conference semifinals. The fans’ response to him was varied throughout the match.
On the other side of the court, Cade Cunningham shone for the Pistons, scoring 33 points, while teammate Jaden Ivey added 22. Even as the Pistons managed to stay within eight points in the fourth quarter, Wade hit two consecutive three-pointers in a short span, which boosted the Cavaliers’ lead to 105-91 with just over six minutes remaining in the game.
For the Pistons, despite this loss, there were positive takeaways after showcasing competitive play in their second straight game. With a challenging season behind them where they secured only 14 wins, the team possesses promising foundational players for Bickerstaff to cultivate.
Meanwhile, the Cavaliers continue to demonstrate their ability to dominate against lesser teams. Under Atkinson’s leadership, they have had a strong start, and he is still experimenting with different rotations as he gains further insight into the strengths of his roster.
A significant moment in the game came from Cavaliers reserve Ty Jerome, who provided an essential boost off the bench, contributing 10 points and three assists within just eight minutes of play. His performance helped Cleveland gain momentum in the first half with a finishing run of 13-4, propelling them to a 10-point lead. Jerome experienced a difficult previous season, playing in only two games due to a severe ankle injury, but has impressed during training camp, gaining praise from general manager Koby Altman, who labeled him as “the MVP of September.” Atkinson is already integrating him into the team’s regular rotation.
Notably, Cunningham struggled with ball control at times, resulting in a game-high nine turnovers, underscoring an area for improvement moving forward.
Looking ahead, the Pistons will return home to face the NBA champion Boston Celtics on Saturday, while the Cavaliers are set to visit Washington on the same day.