Cavs vs Pistons preview and gamethread

The Cavs will face a Pistons team that is unrecognizable from years past.

The Cleveland Cavaliers, losers of three straight for the first time this season, will look to get back in the win column against the feisty Detroit Pistons. Surprisingly, these two teams have not played since Oct. 25 – Cleveland’s first home game of the season. Also surprising is how the year has played out for both sides so far, with each team exceeding expectations.

Who: Cleveland Cavaliers (36-9) vs Detroit Pistons (23-22)

Where: Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse – Cleveland, OH

When: 7:00pm EST

TV: NBATV, Fanduel Sports Network, NBA League Pass

Line: Cavs -10.5

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

Cavs injury report: Isaac Okoro – OUT (shoulder), Dean Wade – OUT (knee), Caris LeVert – OUT (wrist), Luke Travers – OUT (G League),

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

Pistons injury report: Jaden Ivey – OUT (leg), Tobias Harris – QUESTIONABLE (head), Tolu Smith – OUT (G League), Ron Harper Jr. – OUT (G League), Daniss Jenkins – OUT (G League)

What to watch for

Where is the defense?

Remember that thing the Cavs used to be known for? Defense? In January, the Cavs have held an opponent to under 100 points just once (Phoenix) and have the third-worst defensive rating ahead of only the Philadelphia 76ers and Washington Wizards. That is not good company.

The Cavs offense has remained elite, but the defense has been gouged by subpar offenses over the last few games. Losses to the Houston Rockets, a team that doesn’t shoot well in general, and those same Sixers who were without Joel Embiid, do not inspire any sort of confidence. It is fair to question if the Cavs have lost their identity on that side of the floor and if they are capable of getting it back.

With Evan Mobley sitting out, the Sixers scored 132 points – the most they have scored in a game all season. But even with Mobley back in the starting lineup, the Cavs still gave up 135 points to the Rockets – more than 20 points above what they average per game.

The Cavs must actively attempt to return to that defensive identity, and it starts with consistent effort. It does not matter who they play, whether it be statistically good or bad offenses. Any NBA team can run up the score when you don’t put in the effort.

No sleeping on the Pistons

Detroit is a deceptively good team, and dramatically better than the last time they played Cleveland. The Pistons, in contrast to the Cavs, have the third-best defense in January. Their offense is entirely predicated on how good star point guard Cade Cunningham is, but more times than not he is jockeying to be the best player on the floor any given night.

The Cavs have trouble with teams that can throw length at them, and the Pistons have one player who causes havoc wherever he defends: Ausar Thompson. The twin brother of Amen Thompson (who also played well against the Cavs in both of Houston’s wins), is a stout defender with athletic pop. He does not have the capability to turn the tide on a nightly basis, but he could make life very difficult for Darius Garland and/or Donovan Mitchell.