Donovan Mitchell put on a masterclass performance Monday night in Detroit, dropping 35 points in just 29 minutes as the Cleveland Cavaliers crushed the Detroit Pistons 116-95. The victory marks Cleveland's third consecutive win and extends their dominance over their Central Division rivals.
Mitchell's Efficient Scoring Display
Mitchell was virtually unstoppable from the opening tip, shooting an impressive 13-of-18 from the field while adding 2-of-4 from beyond the arc. The All-Star guard also converted 7-of-8 free throw attempts, showcasing the kind of efficiency that makes him one of the league's elite scorers.
What made Mitchell's performance even more remarkable was how quickly he took over the game. By halftime, he had already built such a commanding lead that the outcome was never in doubt, allowing him to rest for much of the fourth quarter.
Cavaliers Take Control Early
The game turned decisively in Cleveland's favor during a dominant second quarter stretch. The Cavaliers unleashed a devastating 14-0 run that transformed a modest seven-point advantage into a commanding 43-26 lead. Mitchell capped off the first half with a layup that sent the teams to the locker room with Cleveland holding a 63-41 cushion.
The blowout continued in the second half, with Mitchell adding 14 more points in the third quarter before his work was done. His final basket made it 108-73 with 7:07 remaining, at which point head coach Kenny Atkinson mercifully pulled his star for the night.
Supporting Cast Steps Up
While Mitchell stole the headlines, he received solid contributions from Cleveland's frontcourt duo.
Jarrett Allen posted 20 points and grabbed seven rebounds, providing the interior presence that kept Detroit's defense honest.
Evan Mobley continued his impressive early-season form with 15 points, 11 rebounds, and five assists, demonstrating the versatility that makes him such a valuable piece of Cleveland's core.
Pistons Struggle to Find Rhythm
Detroit came into the game riding momentum from consecutive victories, but they couldn't sustain that energy against a locked-in Cavaliers squad.
Cade Cunningham, the Pistons' franchise cornerstone, endured a frustrating night with just 12 points on 3-of-14 shooting. The young guard also committed five of Detroit's alarming 25 turnovers, as Cleveland's defense forced mistake after mistake.
Ron Holland II and
Tolu Smith each contributed 11 points in the losing effort, but the Pistons simply had no answer for Cleveland's offensive firepower and defensive intensity.
Historical Dominance Continues
This victory was far from a fluke—it represents the continuation of Cleveland's overwhelming dominance in this matchup. The Cavaliers have now defeated Detroit
13 times in their last 14 meetings, establishing themselves as the clear alpha team in this divisional rivalry.
What's Next
The Cavaliers will face their biggest test of the young season when they visit the Boston Celtics on Wednesday. It's a marquee Eastern Conference showdown that will tell us much about whether Cleveland's hot start is sustainable against elite competition.
The Pistons will look to bounce back Wednesday night when they host the Orlando Magic at home, hoping to get Cunningham back on track and cut down on the costly turnovers that plagued them against Cleveland.
Sources
1. Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Detroit Pistons Live Score and Stats
2. Kyrie Irving - Wikipedia
3. Cleveland Cavaliers vs Detroit Pistons Full Game Highlights
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5. Cleveland Cavaliers vs Detroit Pistons | 2025-26 NBA Season
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