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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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Nov 15, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond (0) grabs a rebound during the first quarter against the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 15, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond (0) grabs a rebound during the first quarter against the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Win The Battle On The Boards

The Pistons were outrebounded by the Cavs 51-43 in Game 1. The bigger problem comes when they allowed Cleveland 12 offensive rebounds, which leads to more possessions and high-percentage shot opportunities. The Cavs had a 13-2 edge in second-chance points.

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    • Crashing the glass defensively became a problem for the Pistons when the Cavs went with a smaller lineup. Playing Love at the center position forced centers Andre Drummond and Aaron Baynes to play away from the rim and left an open paint for rebounding. It led to several rebounds where the Pistons didn’t crash at all.

    Drummond, 22, has to be better on the glass. He led the NBA in rebounds per game during the regular season with 14.8 per game. He only managed to pull down 11 in Game 1.

    This series is a prime opportunity for Drummond to dominate the glass. He is matched up against Tristan Thompson, for the most part. Thompson does not have a mid-range jumper, which allows Drummond to stay close to the paint and have good rebounding position.

    Combining the Pistons turnover problems and inability to keep Cleveland off the boards led to 15 extra shots for the Cavs. The rest of the series must feature better team rebounding when the Cavs go to a smaller lineup. Only then can the Pistons dominate the glass the way they should.

    Next: 3. Bad Bench? Not So Fast

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