Pistons seize early lead as Cavaliers grapple in East semis Game 1

Detroit jumped out to a double-digit lead and led 59-46 at halftime in Game 1 of the East semifinals, with Donovan Mitchell pacing Cleveland with 14 points at the break while Cade Cunningham matched him for Detroit. Cleveland was hampered by Jarrett Allen’s foul trouble and turnover woes, James Harden struggled (2-for-8 with five turnovers), and Sam Merrill exited early with a left hamstring injury. The Cavs did briefly trim the gap early in the second, but Detroit maintained the edge; Game 1 tipped at 7:09 p.m. in Detroit and the series moves to Game 2 on Thursday on Prime Video.