Cleveland Cavaliers 105, Detroit Pistons 89

Cleveland Cavaliers get first victory of Kyrie Irving era


  Kyrie Irving's first game as a professional basketball player was less than impressive.  The rookie out of Duke finished just 2-10 from the floor.  After the game Head Coach Byron Scott said he was still impressed with the rookie, citing his 7 assists and only 1 turnover statistics.  Scott expected Irving to play better on Wednesday against the Pistons, and that he'd shoot the ball better.  Coach Scott couldn't have been more correct.  Irving, starting in his second game as a pro, came out and shot 5-9 from the field and scored 14 points.  He also added 7 assists in only 20 minutes of play. Second year un-drafted PF out of Louisville, Samardo Samuels stole the show though, going 6-8 from the field and leading the team with 17 points.  Samuels was followed by Ramon Sessions and his improved jumpshot from beyond the arc, who scored 16.  Sessions who hit only three 3-pt field goals all of last season, has already hit 4 3's in just two games thus far.
  The Cavaliers came out and set the pace and tempo of this game, against a Pistons team who looked like they couldn't keep up.  The older Pistons were not able to keep up with this fast pace tempo of the Cavs, set by young PG's Kyrie Irving and Ramon Sessions. Young PF and 4th overall selection in this past year's draft, Tristan Thompson continued to impress Cleveland fans with his extremely quick hops and touch around the basket. The young forward out of Texas might not be able to shoot free throws at an efficient clip, but he has a knack for scoring around the basket, and this is something the Cavaliers haven't seen in the past decade.
  The Cavs head to Indiana on Friday to face the Pacers (2-0), who are coming off a convincing victory over the Toronto Raptors.  A team who couldn't miss from the field on Monday, and who gave the Cavaliers a home loss in their first game.  The Pacers, central division foes and a playoff team last season, currently lead the standings in the central.  They are led by start SF Danny Granger, and young C Roy Hibbert, who is averaging 12 rebounds per game.  If the Cavs want to win this game, they'll need to improve on the defensive side of the ball.  One exciting stat for the Cavs though is the fact that they been taking care of the ball in the first two games of the season.  Expect another big game from Kyrie Irving, as the Cavaliers move above .500.

Jimbo's fearless prediction: Cavs 101, Pacers 97