Cleveland Cavaliers: 5 Takeaways From Game 1 vs. Pistons

Apr 17, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Detroit Pistons head coach Stan Van Gundy complains about a call during the third quarter in game one of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena. The Cavs beat the Pistons 106-101. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /

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CLEVELAND, OH – APRIL 17: Matthew Dellavedova #8 of the Cleveland Cavaliers shoots over Reggie Jackson #1 and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope #5 of the Detroit Pistons during the second half of the NBA Eastern Conference Quarterfinals at Quicken Loans Arena on April 17, 2016 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Cavaliers defeated the Pistons 106-101. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

3. The Supporting Cast Has Issues

Kyrie Irving, LeBron James, and Kevin Love combined to score 81 points on 46.0 percent shooting from the field. That’s something to be encouraged by, as the Cleveland Cavaliers were given a rare glimpse of what its star trio is capable of.

The issue: the supporting cast wasn’t exactly impressive.

Cleveland’s reserves combined for 14 points on 6-of-15 shooting, but that only scratches the surface of the problem. J.R. Smith had nine points on 3-of-9 shooting, and Tristan Thompson scored two in 29 minutes.

In other words, Irving, James, and Love scored 81 points, and all other players combined for 25.

The supporting cast did a very solid job on defense during the second half, but it must provide more than a collective 25 points on 10-of-25 shooting. Cleveland especially needs help from its role players in spacing the floor, but players other than Irving, James, and Love shot just 3-of-14 from distance.

It’s only one game, but Cleveland needs its supporting cast to play better than it did.

Next: No. 2

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