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The Detroit Pistons have taken a 2-0 lead on the Cleveland Cavaliers in the conference semifinals with their 107-97 victory Thursday, May 7. This comes two days after the Pistons beat the Cavaliers 111-101 in Game 1.
And while both contests were played on the Pistons' home court, Little Caesars Arena – so not entirely unexpected outcomes – Cleveland had chances in both games to steal a win on the road. But for the second game in a row, Cavaliers star James Harden struggled – especially in the first half.
The Cavaliers acquired Harden, a three-time scoring champ and 11-time All-Star at this year's trade deadline, in part to help them make a deeper run in the playoffs than last year, when, as the top seed in the East, they were upset by the Indiana Pacers 4-1 in the conference semifinals.
If Cleveland wants to go deeper this year, they will need Harden to knock down more shots, be much more accurate on his 3-point shooting, increase his assists and tone down his turnovers. Harden made a committed a crucial turnover with 30 seconds remaining in Game 2 with Cleveland down six points and trying to rally.
In Game 1 against the Pistons on Tuesday, May 5, Harden scored 22 points but shot just 40% (6-for-15) from the field and made only 1-of-7 3-pointers (14.2%). And while he dished out seven assists, he also turned the ball over seven times.
Harden and the Cavaliers have a chance to right the ship Saturday, May 9 when they host Detroit in Game 3 at 3 p.m. ET (NBC), but they need
Here are Harden's stats from Game 2 for the first half and the game:
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: James Harden struggles in Game 2 as Cavaliers stumble vs. Pistons
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And while both contests were played on the Pistons' home court, Little Caesars Arena – so not entirely unexpected outcomes – Cleveland had chances in both games to steal a win on the road. But for the second game in a row, Cavaliers star James Harden struggled – especially in the first half.
The Cavaliers acquired Harden, a three-time scoring champ and 11-time All-Star at this year's trade deadline, in part to help them make a deeper run in the playoffs than last year, when, as the top seed in the East, they were upset by the Indiana Pacers 4-1 in the conference semifinals.
If Cleveland wants to go deeper this year, they will need Harden to knock down more shots, be much more accurate on his 3-point shooting, increase his assists and tone down his turnovers. Harden made a committed a crucial turnover with 30 seconds remaining in Game 2 with Cleveland down six points and trying to rally.
In Game 1 against the Pistons on Tuesday, May 5, Harden scored 22 points but shot just 40% (6-for-15) from the field and made only 1-of-7 3-pointers (14.2%). And while he dished out seven assists, he also turned the ball over seven times.
Harden and the Cavaliers have a chance to right the ship Saturday, May 9 when they host Detroit in Game 3 at 3 p.m. ET (NBC), but they need
Here are Harden's stats from Game 2 for the first half and the game:
James Harden's final Game 2 stats vs. Pistons
- Points: 10
- Field goals: 3-for-13
- 3-pointers: 0-for-4
- Free-throws: 4-for-4
- Rebounds: 6
- Assists: 3
- Blocks: 0
- Turnovers: 4
- Minutes: 36:52
James Harden's first-half Game 2 stats vs. Pistons
- Points: 8
- Field goals: 2-for-10
- 3-pointers: 0-for-3
- Free-throws: 4-for-4
- Rebounds: 4
- Assists: 1
- Blocks: 0
- Turnovers: 3
- Minutes: 18:20
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: James Harden struggles in Game 2 as Cavaliers stumble vs. Pistons
Continue reading...
