Harden, Mobley Spark Cavs in Comeback Bid, but Pistons Take Game 1

The Cavaliers erased an 18-point deficit and tied the game in the fourth, but Detroit pulled away to win 111-101 in Game 1. James Harden (22 points, 7 assists, 8 rebounds) had seven turnovers that hampered the Cavs, Donovan Mitchell struggled to impose himself with 23 points on 9-for-19 shooting, and Evan Mobley (14 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists) couldn’t anchor the paint as Detroit won the rebounding battle. Max Strus added 19 points to fuel the comeback, but Cleveland got little else from the bench, and foul trouble limited Jarrett Allen. Cleveland will need cleaner ballhandling and better interior defense to even the series.