The Cleveland Cavaliers are looking to end their three-game losing streak, their longest of the season, when they host the Detroit Pistons on Monday.
The Cavaliers, who lead the Eastern Conference, were defeated 135-131 by the Houston Rockets on Saturday. Despite Darius Garland scoring 39 points and Donovan Mitchell adding 33, Cleveland’s defense was a major issue.
The Cavaliers shot 51.6% from the field and 43.6% from three but struggled to contain the Rockets, who had four players score at least 20 points. Houston shot 54.9% from the field and 46.4% from three.
Cleveland has allowed 114 or more points in eight of their last 12 games and couldn’t stop the Rockets’ big men, Alperen Sengun and Steven Adams, who combined for 40 points and 12 rebounds.
“We’re scoring 130 points, but it seems like consistently now we’re giving up in the 130s, and it’s just too much,” said Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson.
“If we can get back to defending like we have most of the year, we’ll be fine. But right now, we’re leaking in too many places.”
Cleveland forward Evan Mobley returned on Saturday after missing four games due to a calf strain, playing 29 minutes and finishing with seven points, eight rebounds, and two blocked shots.
Despite the tough stretch, Atkinson believes the team can use this adversity as a learning experience.
“I think this patch of adversity is good. It’s great,” Atkinson said. “This is the NBA. It’s tough. Let’s see how we respond to this. We’ll bounce back.”
Cleveland has dominated Detroit recently, winning 10 straight games, including a 113-101 victory at home on October 25.
The Pistons had their four-game road winning streak snapped on Saturday after a 121-113 loss to the Orlando Magic. Cade Cunningham led Detroit with 35 points, 11 assists, and five rebounds.
The game featured a lot of physical play, including seven technical fouls and one flagrant foul. Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff was ejected midway through the fourth quarter.
“These games against teams like this are going to be extremely physical,” Bickerstaff said. “We understand that. We are good with that. Just make sure we maintain the physicality and do not allow the officials to become a part of the game because we take it too far.”
Bickerstaff was encouraged by the performance of forward Ausar Thompson, who played a season-high 29 minutes after missing two games due to illness. Thompson contributed 16 points, five rebounds, four steals, and a block in the loss.
“I feel great; it feels good to have reached almost the 30-minute mark,” Thompson said. “I feel great. I feel conditioned. However many minutes they need me to play, I’ll be ready to play.”
Thompson may have to play a larger role on Monday if forward Tobias Harris, who exited early in the third quarter with a head injury on Saturday, is unavailable.
