Hobbled Pistons power past Cavs, 109-105

“Detroit has no interest in winning this game”

These are not my words, but rather those hilariously pinned to SB Nation’s ‘Detroit Bad Boys’ blog in the form of a game preview this morning — brilliant bulletin board material for the ever-so-enigmatic Cleveland Cavaliers (20-37), who took the L tonight against the Detroit Pistons. Final Score: 105-109.

It’s no mystery the Pistons (18-40) rode into tonight’s matchup on a heavy TANK... dragging behind them 7 players out for illness, injury and/or forthcoming implosion.

As long as there’s a Play-In Tournament opportunity, we’ve been told the Cavs are going to shoot for it — the problem is, they miss... A LOT. Coming into tonight’s matchup, the Cavs were sitting 29 of 30, gripping a lifeless Offensive Rating of 104.9. Tonight’s performance only worked to amplify that crisis.

If the Cavs came out in a word, it would have been ‘disgraceful.’ Cleveland — almost remarkably — allowed 37 points, shot just 40% and found themselves in a 23-point hole...all in just the first quarter. The Pistons, meanwhile, poured it in from beyond the arc, nailing 56% of their attempts by halftime.

In tonight’s loss, the Cavs shot just 19% from three (5 for 26). Sexton led the team with 28 points on 12 for 20 shooting. Kevin Love turned out a mediocre game, knocking down a few of his signature mid-range jumpers with 15 points and 8 rebounds. Hartenstein finished with the team’s most complete game, tightening things up down the stretch with 13 points and drawing a few clutch fouls. Garland struggled early with his shot, finishing with 23 points on 9 for 19 shooting, but this cross-court bouncer was something to behold:

Saddiq Bey and Frank Jackson each scored 20 points for the Pistons, while Isaiah Stewart pulled down a game-high 16 rebounds.

Up Next: The Cavs head back to Cleveland to face the Chicago Bulls again on Wednesday. Tip-off at 7 pm.