1. It wasn’t always pretty, but it was pretty effective. This is essentially the story of the Cavs’ second win in two tries in the Kenny Atkinson era.

2. The Cavs barely dominated, but there was never a time when we thought they might lose either. Detroit stayed within striking distance for most of the night – but every time the Pistons got too close, the Cavs went on a little run.

3. Like Jarrett Allen said afterward: “Neither of us scored 20 (points) tonight, and we still won the game.”

4. Allen went on to describe this year’s group as “selfless,” emphasizing how the ball was moving and people were doing everything they could to find the open man.

5. Atkinson agreed. Well, he did for the most part. “We were really sharing the ball – but just being a coach here, I thought it kind of stayed there in the second half.”

6. Regardless, the second half is where the Cavaliers started to pull away, building the lead to 18 midway through the fourth quarter.

7. But the reason is above all defense. In Game 1, the Cavs forced the Toronto Raptors into 19 turnovers. That night, they forced the Pistons to 22.

8. More Atkinson: “They definitely cut our rhythm. We couldn’t maintain a rhythm. But I’m proud of the defense.

9. Offensively, as Allen suggested, the Cavs again received contributions from everywhere. Donovan Mitchell got a score of 19, although you wouldn’t have known it. He compiled exactly zero after the first quarter.

10. Dean Wade also finished 19th and made 7 of 9 shots (including 5 of 7 from 3 points). Wade replaces injured starter Max Strus and as Atkinson said, “really opened the game up” with a barrage of threes.

11. Allen scored 17 points on just seven shots (making five), grabbing a game-high 11 rebounds. Evan Mobley scored a fairly calm 16, and the leaders Garland of Darius And Ty Jerome There were 13 each.

12. Jerome provided quite a boost, using his trickery to get into the lane for returned shots or to deliver a pass. Wade put it perfectly when he joked that Jerome “has the slowest step in the game.”

14. Atkinson added: “Ty has been doing well since we started the open gym in September. He obviously has an excellent IQ.

15. Yeah, obviously. So far, you could say that about almost everyone. All five starters scored at least 13 and, again, no one scored more than 19. It’s the balance and type of teamwork Atkinson has been talking about since his first press conference.

16. Yes, Bickerstaff came back and was in the visiting dressing room after spending over five years in the home dressing room. But he had previously insisted he didn’t feel much difference. “That’s exactly what we do,” he said. “Other than taking a bus to get here…it’s just a basketball game.”

17. Bickerstaff received a lukewarm reception from fans during a tribute video on the Jumbotron. “I think that should have been high praise for him,” Allen said in listing Bickerstaff’s accomplishments in Cleveland. “Last year was a tough ending, as some people say. But he gave this team his all and people should applaud him for that.

18. Bickerstaff was the nicest coach I met and certainly the friendliest. And I’ve been here since we filed our stories with chisel and granite. I talked a lot about him in the latest news Live Wire Hoops.

19. Atkinson also praised Bickerstaff. “He’s really built a good foundation here,” Atkinson said. He later added that “Detroit (0-2) is a better team than last year.” This is obvious.

20. The Cavs also shared a video tribute to the team’s founder and first owner, Nick Mileti, who died in August. Mileti attended John Adams High School and he is the very reason the Cavs share the same level of excellence at that school. wine and gold colors.

21. After this game, head to Washington, where the Cavs will face the rebuilding Wizards in their first back-to-back game. This is followed by a visit to the Knicks. After that, the Cavs return home to face none other than LeBron James and the Lakers (Wednesday). To show you how times have changed, this match isn’t even nationally televised.

22. There was something else I wanted to say, but luckily for you, I don’t remember it. So we’re going to end here. Just know that for the Cavs, it’s been so far, so very good. They share the ball, find their place and take care of business.