Random dribbles following the Cavaliers’ thriller of a 118-115 road win over the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday. …
1. The Cavs were without Donovan Mitchell. They were playing the second night of back-to-back. There were times they were brilliant — but the Pistons just wouldn’t go away.
2. So, what do you do? Well, how about drilling a game-winner just beyond the halfcourt line at the final buzzer? That remarkable 3-pointer came courtesy of Darius Garland.
3. Afterward, Garland kept repeating himself. “Go home,” he said over and over to FanDuel Sports Cleveland. “Go home.”
4. Go home, indeed. And it was quite an escape job by the Cavaliers. They were pretty good most of the night, seemed in control. Some very questionable calls by the officials kept Detroit in it. But mostly, so did Cade Cunningham.
5. Cleveland is 41-10, pretty remarkable when you think about it. Or even if you don’t think about it and just look at the NBA standings. Most nights, they’re a joy to watch. This was one of them.
6. Of course, coach Kenny Atkinson wasn’t entirely pleased. He praised Garland’s shot, saying “that’s what great players do.” But it was the moments that led to Garland’s heroics that had the coach smiling less than usual after a win.
DG’s winner as called by @CavsJMike! #LetEmKnow pic.twitter.com/TWynuOD0dz
— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) February 6, 2025
7. Atkinson was specifically referring to Jarrett Allen, who set what reviews showed was a Flagrant foul of a screen. It led to Allen’s ejection. A few moments later, Cunnigham was fouled on the floor while shooting a 3-pointer.
8. He made all three free throws to tie it at 116-all. Not ideal.
9. Atkinson to reporters on the win: “We got lucky. We made two big-time end-of-game errors. Coaches aren’t happy about that.”
10. Allen told Atkinson he got slapped in the head prior to his 1990s-era pick. Atkinson said he understood, that “it’s an emotional game.” But he added he needs the guys to keep their composure at the end.
11. I won’t be as tough on Allen as the coach. The man was shoved out of bounds by Houston center Alperen Sengun last week. The officials reviewed it. No foul. Allen’s pick wasn’t anything close to what Sengun did. So a fairly ridiculous call, if you ask me. And since this is my website, that’s precisely who you’re asking.
Max Strus. Poster. pic.twitter.com/iAckfOCgCj
— Sam Amico (@AmicoHoops) February 6, 2025
12. Garland was amazing when it counted, scoring 18 of his 25 points in the fourth quarter. Evan Mobley bounced back from some struggles vs. the Boston Celtics, erupting for 30 points, nine rebounds and a team-high seven assists. He even went 3-of-5 on threes.
13. But my Full Court Cleveland co-analyst Booby Gibson put it best on the postgame show, saying everyone who stepped on the floor contributed.
14. Craig Porter Jr. was particularly brilliant, scoring 16 points on 6-of-7 shooting. Max Strus added 15, including a post-inspiring massive dunk on a first-half drive. Ty Jerome added 13 on 5-of-7 from the field, along with some nifty passes on his way to five assists.
15. Allen (six points, 13 rebounds), Sam Merrill (six points, massive corner 3) and Georges Niang (seven points, five boards) also all had their moments. Meanwhile, Mitchell (shoulder bruise) led the cheers from the bench like a champ.
16. Cunningham was relentless for the Pistons (25-26) and there’s a reason the guy is an All-Star this year. He finished with 38 points, seven rebounds and nine assists, singlehandedly making sure this stayed a game.
19. Nonetheless, the Cavaliers are 3-0 against old friend and Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff this season.
20. It wasn’t always pretty. But it sometimes was just that. And it ended on the prettiest shot of them all by Garland.
- Box Score | Cavs 118, Pistons 115
- More Cavaliers | All coverage from Hoops Wire
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