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Cavaliers score, recap as Cavs fall to JB Bickerstaff, Pistons
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- Cavaliers score, recap as Cavs fall to JB Bickerstaff, Pistons
CLEVELAND — The Cavaliers and current coach Kenny Atkinson faced former Cavs coach JB Bickerstaff and the Detroit Pistons , who hold the East's best record and would be in line for the No. 1 seed in the playoffs if the season ended today, but fell, 114-110, at Rocket Arena.
The Cavs were coming off of a win against the Denver Nuggets , albeit one in which Atkinson criticized the offense's performance. The Cavs, who are still trying to hit their stride in an injury-riddled season , are chasing several teams in their race to improve their standing in the East, a list that is topped by the Pistons.
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Here's how the Jan. 4 Cavaliers -Pistons game unfolded.
Cavs lose to the Pistons
Donovan Mitchell was fouled down four but missed a crucial free throw, which eventually led to more free throws for the Pistons and a 114-110 Detroit win. The Pistons' run through the East — similar to what the Cavs did a year ago — continues.
The final stretch included a quick-fire 3 from Sam Merrill , who drilled a shot while only taking .6 seconds off the clock. That 3 cut Detroit's lead to 112-110 with 3.2 seconds left, but Daniss Jenkins hit both free throws to put the game out of reach.
Pistons lead Cavs in final minute
The Cavaliers had the ball while down two, but Isaiah Stewart stole the ball from Donovan Mitchell, and Ausar Thompson followed a missed jumper with a tip-in to give the Pistons a 110-106 lead with 17.2 seconds left.
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Mitchell has had a tremendous second half, but that was one stretch he'd like to have back.
Cavs, Pistons score: Donovan Mitchell leads Cavaliers on 9-0 run, trail Detroit by 4
The Cavs were threatening to be buried in the fourth quarter, down 13, until Donovan Mitchell put the offense on his shoulders and led the Cavs on a 9-0 run to cut the deficit to 106-102 with 2:47 left.
Evan Mobley hit a layup before Mitchell rattled off seven consecutive points, including a 3 to trim the lead to four points. Mitchell now has 29 points, five rebounds and three assists. Mobley has 15 points and, somehow, only three rebounds.
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The Pistons lead the Cavaliers, 87-82, entering the final 12 minutes.
Cade Cunningham leads Detroit with 23 points after a red-hot third quarter. Donovan Mitchell leads the Cavs with 20 points.
Daniss Jenkins has quite the odd box score thus far. By quarter, he's scored 0, 21 and 0 points.
The Cavs' boxing out has been better as of late, and Mitchell did enough on the offensive end to make it close.
Jan 4, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward De'andre Hunter (12) goes for a loose ball against Detroit Pistons forward Ronald Holland II (5) during the first half at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
Donovan Mitchell leads Cavs back; Pistons up by 3
Donovan Mitchell and the Cavaliers starters righted the ship in the third quarter, and Cleveland has chipped away at Detroit's lead, 80-77, with 2:39 left in the third quarter.
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Mitchell has 11 points in the third quarter alone on 4-for-7 shooting from the floor. He's been equaled by Detroit's Cade Cunningham, who also has 11 points in the third quarter.
Jan 4, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Detroit Pistons head coach J.B. Bickerstaff has words with referee Jason Goldenberg (35) during the first half against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
Daniss Jenkins pours in 21 points, Pistons lead Cavs by 10 at halftime
Daniss Jenkins had an absolutely incredible second quarter, pouring in 21 points on a perfect 6-for-6 from 3-point range and leading the Pistons to a 66-56 lead at halftime.
The Cavs' positive defensive first quarter led way to a disastrous second quarter in which the Pistons scored 47 points.
For the Cavs, Darius Garland has 12 points on 5-for-9 shooting from the floor. Sam Merrill also has 12 points, all on 3-pointers.
Jan 4, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Jaylon Tyson (20) kicks the ball from Detroit Pistons guard Ausar Thompson (9) during the first half at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
Pistons' 3-point barrage grabs lead against Cavs
The Cavs' offense with a bench-led lineup fell apart at the same time as the Pistons' 3-point shooting became red shot, and Detroit has used that stretch to grab a 56-49 lead with 1:39 left in the first half.
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Detroit's on an 8-2 run. They've shot 7-for-9 from 3-point range in the second quarter.
The Cavs offense, meanwhile, has become sloppy. A lineup that consisted of Darius Garland and four players off the bench looked out of sorts, and it cost Cleveland their lead. That lack of bench production and consistency has been one of the biggest differences between the Cavs of last season and this year.
Jan 4, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) goes for a loose ball against Detroit Pistons guard Javonte Green (31) during the first half at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
Ausar Thompson, Thomas Bryant both down after collision
Late in the third quarter, Thomas Bryant of the Cavaliers and Ausar Thompson of the Pistons both went down to the floor, the result of a collision in which both players were holding their faces. Bryant got up after a few moments and is staying in the game, but Thompson remained down for another minute or two and is exiting the game.
Jan 4, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson reacts against the Detroit Pistons during the first half at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
Pistons cut into Cavs lead with offensive rebounds
The Pistons have opened the second quarter on an 11-5 run, with much of it fueled by a string of offensive rebounds. Already today, Detroit has 10 offensive boards, allowing them to chip away at the Cavs' lead, which now stands at 33-30.
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A 3 by Daniss Jenkins led to a quick timeout by Kenny Atkinson, not happy with the Cavs' rebounding.
Cavs, Pistons score: Cavaliers lead after first quarter
The Cavs opened today's game with a strong defensive effort in the first quarter, holding the Pistons under 20 points. Cleveland will take a 28-19 lead into the second quarter.
The Pistons shot just 7-for-26 in the first quarter. They were 3-for-15 from 3-point range. The Cavs also blocked four shots in the quarter, two by Evan Mobley.
Jan 4, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) shoots over the defense of Cleveland Cavaliers guard Sam Merrill (5) during the first half at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
Cavaliers lead Pistons early; Sam Merrill, Cade Cunningham leading scorers
The Cavs own a 25-17 lead with three minutes left in the third quarter.
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Sam Merrill, who was questionable for the game, is the game's early leading scorer with nine points. He's 3-for-4 from 3-point range. For the Pistons, Cade Cunningham already has eight points.
Nae'Qwan Tomlin also had a productive 90 seconds after checking into the game, grabbing two rebounds, blocking a shot and getting a put-back layup to fall after a missed 3.
Below is some pregame information.
Cavs injury report vs Pistons; Several Cavaliers remain questionable
Three Cavaliers regulars are questionable heading into the Jan. 4 matchup against Pistons, including center Jarrett Allen (illness), guard Sam Merrill (ankle) and forward Dean Wade (knee). Merrill and Wade are both "pretty banged up" according to Atkinson.
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Cavaliers unveil city edition uniforms
The Cavs unveiled their new City Edition uniforms Nov. 11.
How can I watch/stream/listen to the Cavs vs Pistons game?
The Jan. 4 Cavs-Pistons game can be watched on the FanDuel Sports Network — Ohio. It can heard on the radio on 100.7 WMMS, 1100 WTAM and S: LA MEGA 1300.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: cleveland-cavaliers-score-today-vs-detroit-pistons-game-recap
