Kyrie Irving, Kevin Love Lead Cavs To 106-101 Win Over Pistons In Playoff Game 1

On Sunday, the Cleveland Cavaliers proved that they have more than just LeBron James to rely on. One year after James carried the Cavs as far as he could in the postseason, he now thankfully has Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love to help him out.

Kyrie Irving, Kevin Love Lead Cavs To 106-101 Win Over Pistons In Playoff

Irving scored 31 points and Love added 28 to lead the Cavaliers to a 106-101 victory over the Detroit Pistons in the opening game of their first-round playoff series at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland Sunday.

James added another 22 points and 11 assists for the top-seeded Cavs, who are the favorites to win the Eastern Conference again this year.

Cleveland’s championship chances were severely hurt last year after Love dislocated his shoulder in just his fourth playoff game at Boston. The Cavs advanced to the Finals without him, but unfortunately Irving broke his kneecap in Game 1 against the Golden State Warriors.

“For these two guys, they were just excited to get back to this moment,” James said after Sunday’s game, looking relived. “These guys have been working hard, Kyrie on his knee, Kevin on his shoulder just to get back to this moment. It was great to be out on the floor with them and for them to put together the performance that they did.”

Love hit two key 3-pointers in the fourth quarter and the Cavs overcame a seven-point deficit by outscoring the Pistons 30-18 over the final 10:52.

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Marcus Morris led the Pistons with 21 and 20 points respectively, and Reggie Jackson added another 17. Andre Drummond added 13 points and 11 rebounds for Detroit, who made 15 3-pointers but missed a few open ones down the stretch. The game marked the young Pistons’ first playoff appearance since 2009. The team only boasts one starter with playoff experience, yet they were able to match the Cavaliers shot for shot. Jackson’s 3-pointer tied the game at 88 with 6:29 left.

However, Love then sank consecutive 3s to put the Cavs up by four. “My mentality was to be aggressive all night,” said Love, who had 13 rebounds. “We have to do that the entire series.”

After the Cavs led 100-96, James scored a layup and Jackson missed a 3-pointer before Irving’s two free throws gave Cleveland an eight-point lead.

Game 2 of the series is Wednesday night at Quicken Loans Arena.

PHOTO: CLEVELAND, OH – APRIL 17: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers shoots over Marcus Morris #13 of the Detroit Pistons during the second quarter of the NBA Eastern Conference Quarterfinals at Quicken Loans Arena on April 17, 2016 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Cavaliers defeated the Pistons 106-101. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)