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Detroit Pistons: 5 Takeaways From Game 1 Vs. Cavaliers

By Aaron Ferguson

Apr 17, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) drives past Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond (0) during the second half 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
Apr 17, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) drives past Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond (0) during the second half 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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Apr 6, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Reggie Jackson (1) brings the ball down court during the first quarter of a basketball game against the Orlando Magic at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Take Care Of The Basketball

The Pistons have to protect the ball, especially against the Cavs. Detroit turned the ball over 10 times in Game 1. Not only did the Pistons do a poor job of protecting the basketball, they also didn’t get back in transition. Cleveland scored 19 points off the 10 Detroit turnovers.

Veteran point guard Steve Blake, specifically, needs to step up and take care of the basketball. Blake has played 50 career playoff games and averages 1.0 turnover per game. He turned the ball over three times in 14 minutes in the series opener, which isn’t a good showing from the most experienced player on the team, in terms of postseason play.

Detroit had 24 assists in the game and their great passing led to open shots. However, the 10 turnovers led to extra possessions in Cleveland’s favor, which isn’t good given the Cavs excellent ball-handlers.

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Cleveland turned the ball over four times. With Kyrie Irving and LeBron James doing the majority of the ball-handling, the Cavs are bound to take care of the basketball. In fact, in 79 combined minutes the duo only turned the ball over twice.

Reggie Jackson‘s three turnovers were on par with his 2.8 turnovers per game season average. Jackson is going to have some turnovers with how much he possesses the ball and as many minutes he plays. That doesn’t excuse forward Tobias Harris from his poor play.

Harris also turned the ball over three times, which is uncommon for him. In 27 games with the Pistons, he averaged 1.1 turnovers per game and had the lowest turnover rate of his career at 7.2 percent. Harris, who had a bad all-around game, can only improve upon his poor performance.

It will be tough for Detroit to turn the Cavs over, so in order to stay competitive in the turnover battle, the Pistons will have to limit their own turnovers.

Next: 4. Secure Rebounds

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