DETROIT — All season long, the Detroit Pistons have developed their identity based on playing elite, suffocating defense. It saw the Pistons snag the No. 1 seed in the playoffs after an historic defensive output where the team led the NBA in steals and blocks.

The Cavaliers lost 107-97 on Thursday to put themselves in a 2-0 hole as the series goes to Cleveland. No player faced more blame than the 36-year-old Harden, whose postseason struggles have become a defining element of his career across multiple playoff teams.

For the second time in the series, they had all the answers and plays in the fourth quarter, played better defense, made fewer mistakes and had the better star player — Cade Cunningham outshined Donovan Mitchell and James Harden when it counted.

A'ja Wilson still reigns supreme after winning her fourth MVP, her third championship and her second WNBA Finals MVP. During her rookie campaign, Fever superstar Caitlin Clark looked capable of unseating Wilson one day, but her sophomore season went off the rails. Clark is still in the top five, but she has something to prove this year.

After two games, the Detroit Pistons' Eastern Conference semifinal with the Cavaliers hasn't been decided by refs, no matter what Cleveland says.

Detroit and OKC build 2-0 series leads while the Wolves seek a 2-1 edge and the 76ers look for a win in Game 3, too.

DETROIT — The word “urgency” is said by an NBA team over and over and over again as they fight through the postseason. Time is running out on everyone’s season and the pressure continues to mount for the teams remaining.

The second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs continued on Thursday with a pair of Game 2s. The top-seeded Detroit Pistons, led by Cade Cunningham and Tobias Harris, continued their strong run to beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 107-97, taking a 2-0 series lead.