The Detroit Pistons opened their Eastern Conference semifinal series with a 111–101 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday, led by Cade Cunningham’s 23 points and seven assists and Tobias Harris’ 20 points and eight rebounds. Duncan Robinson added 19 as Detroit snapped a 12-game playoff losing streak against Cleveland — a drought dating back to 2007 — and secured its first Game 1 postseason win since 2008.

Detroit took control early after a slow start, dominating the first quarter with defense and inside scoring to build a double-digit lead. The Pistons carried a 59–46 advantage into halftime with contributions from nine different players, then stretched the margin to 17 in the third before Cleveland rallied. A 10–2 run pulled the Cavaliers within three late in the quarter, but Ron Holland’s buzzer-beating three gave Detroit an 83–76 edge entering the fourth.

Cleveland, fueled by James Harden’s 22 points and a fourth-quarter surge, erased an 11-point deficit and tied the game at 93 with just over five minutes left. Donovan Mitchell also scored 23, though his streak of 30-point performances in series openers ended. Detroit responded with an 18–8 closing run, highlighted by Jalen Duren’s three straight dunks off Cunningham assists after a key block on Harden. Max Strus added 19 for Cleveland, while Jarrett Allen was held to just two points and three rebounds.

Game 2 will take place Thursday night in Detroit, before the series shifts to Cleveland for Game 3.

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