Cavs-Pistons Game 1 halftime dribbles

Random dribbles following the first half of the Cavs’ Game 1 vs. the Pistons on Tuesday in Detroit. Pistons lead, 59-46.

1. I feel as if the Cavs should be down 25. The Pistons look like the more cohesive team —  the team that’s more sure of itself. They’ve made the Cavs seem way out of sorts.

2. At least Donovan Mitchell appears to back (14 points). That may have been his best half of the playoffs. No one else really did much.

3. But Mitchell and (especially) James Harden have to take care of the ball. Harden shouldn’t make you nervous every time the ball is in his hands. Once again, the Cavs are much too careless.

4. Here are the keys for the Cavs in this series: Take care of the ball. Win the scrums. Keep the Pistons off the glass. They’re losing in every one of those areas. In fact, in those areas alone, it’s a blowout.

5. You can’t give up 59 points in a half. The Pistons are playing their game — meaning they’re turning defense into offense. Other than Mitchell, the Cavs look incredibly uncomfortable offensively.

6. Harden has three turnovers. Mitchell has three. The Cavs have 10 as a team. Clean that up, alone, and you can get back in it. 

7. The Cavs will also need Jarrett Allen (three fouls) and Evan Mobley to start getting tougher inside. Basically, all the things that have haunted the Cavs in their playoff losses are back. And in full force.

8. Sam Merrill (hamstring) is questionable to return. I like what I’ve seen from Keon Ellis so far, though. But the Cavs have too many guys out there running around, not doing much of anything.