Cavs at Pistons preview and gamethread

The Cavs lost an emotional game last night, and cannot afford to let that carry into tonight’s matchup.

The Cleveland Cavaliers will look to get back in the win column as they welcome to Detroit Pistons to town for an inter-divisional battle. Both teams are coming off tough losses, though Detroit has an extra day of rest under their belt. The Cavs, on the second game of a back-to-back, will have to put their loss behind them quicker to avoid a trap game against a feisty Pistons team.

Who: Cleveland Cavaliers (40-10) vs. Detroit Pistons (25-25)

Where: Little Ceasars Arena – Detroit, MI

When: 7:00pm EST

TV: FanDuel Sports Network

Line: Cavaliers – 5.5

Expected Cavs starting lineup: Darius Garland, Donovan Mitchell, Max Strus, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen.

Cavs injury report from yesterday: Isaac Okoro – OUT (shoulder), Dean Wade – OUT (knee), J.T. Thor – OUT (G League), Luke Travers – OUT (G League), Emoni Bates – OUT (G League)

Expected Pistons starting lineup: Cade Cunningham, Tim Hardaway Jr., Ausar Thompson, Tobias Harris, Jalen Duren

Pistons injury report: Jaden Ivey – OUT (leg fracture), Bobi Klintman – OUT (G League)

What to watch for

Pick yourself up

Last night’s loss to the Boston Celtics was an emotional one. The Cavs offered a valiant comeback, but they got down by as many as 20 points in a game that had a playoff-type atmosphere. They were exposed on the wing, again, and didn’t capitalize on a poor shooting night from Jayson Tatum. It was a deflating loss, but the Cavs can’t let the loss linger – because this game feels like a trap.

The Pistons are not the Celtics, but they are not the pushover of years past. At 25-25, Detroit is the epitome of average with their 18th-ranked offense and 12th-ranked defense. But they have an All-Star in Cade Cunningham leading the way, savvy veteran shooters around him, and high-energy youth that can just as easily lose you a game as much as win you one.

The Cavs have to be careful, and the 5.5-point spread indicates that even Las Vegas thinks things could be close. It wouldn’t be surprising to see some players rest after a heavier workload last night, too.

Evan Mobley bounce back

Let’s not mince words: Evan Mobley was a shell of himself against the Celtics. He missed easy shot attempts at the rim and was getting bullied in the paint all night by Kristaps Porzingis, something that cannot happen if the Cavs are going to be taken seriously in the playoffs. Mobley needs to come out with higher energy and poise against a team that he should play well against.

Mobley had seven points, five rebounds, and shot 3-14 from the floor last night, by far his worst game in a long time. He had 11 points and 14 rebounds on Jan. 27 against Detroit and looked like the imposing force that he should be. The Pistons don’t have much they can throw at Mobley on the interior, so he should have plenty of opportunities to bring that confidence back up. Look for him to play with a greater level of intensity against the Pistons.