Pistons vs. Cavaliers final score: Detroit routs Cleveland by 33, first back to back wins of the season

The Detroit Pistons continue their newfound winning ways following a rout of the Cleveland Cavaliers by 33 points 127-94. This win snaps their nine-game road losing streak, and it’s Detroit's second straight blowout victory after defeating the San Antonio Spurs by 34 points this past Sunday. It’s also the first time in the Pistons illustrious history where they won consecutive games by 30-plus points.

It all started with Blake Griffin, who hit four of his first five 3-point attempts in the first quarter, scoring 16 points in that period. He finished the game with 24 points and four boards in just 24 minutes.

Detroit built an 11-point lead early in the first quarter, but quickly relinquished it following a 15-0 run, sparked by a couple of threes from Jordan Clarkson. But unlike many games this season, Detroit quickly built back the lead and re-established a double digit lead in the second quarter, that they’d continue to build on throughout the rest of the game.

Andre Drummond was busy early and often, as he imposed his will on both Kevin Love and Tristian Thompson in the paint, finishing the night with 17 points, 14 rebounds, 5 steals, 4 blocks and 4 assists. Detroit as a team had 60 points in the paint, and as was said throughout the broadcast, had an analytically sound night - piling up points in the paint, and hitting shots from beyond the arc. The Pistons hit 18/35 threes, highlighted by Griffin who hit 6/7, Langston Galloway who knocked down 4/7, and Svi Mykhailiuk who chipped in 3/8 from deep.

Detroit’s bench outscored Cleveland’s reserves 65-37, which was anchored by Derrick Rose who had possibly his best passing night of the season, as he dished 9 dimes, and was a key part to Detroit building on the lead passed to the second unit by the starters. He also hit 6/12 from the field, finishing with 12 points. And last but certainly not least, Sekou Doumbouya got some run to finish out the game, and had his first dunk of his career, when Detroit corralled a steal with roughly 10 seconds left in the game.

Hopefully for Detroit, they’ll be able to carry this positive momentum into tomorrow night’s game against the Milwaukee Bucks, who hold the NBA’s best record, and who have won 12 straight. Luckily for Detroit, they were able to rest both Blake Griffin and Derrick Rose in the second half, who may see their first action in the second night of a back to back this season.