Garland scores 21 points as Cavaliers rout Pistons 98-78

CLEVELAND — Darius Garland tied

his season high with 21 points and rookie power forward Evan Mobley had 16 points and

seven rebounds, leading the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 98-78 victory

over the Detroit Pistons on Friday night.

Mobley, the No. 3 overall pick, also

blocked three shots, made two steals and

hit a pair of 3-pointers in winning his first matchup with Detroit

shooting guard Cade Cunningham, the top overall pick. Cunningham had nine points, six rebounds and a season-high seven turnovers.

Cedi Osman scored 17 points and Jarrett Allen had 11 points

and seven rebounds for the Cavaliers. They led by 27 early in the fourth quarter and

coasted home with their most lopsided victory of the season. Cleveland has won five of six to improve to 8-5.

The Pistons were held to a season low in points, committed 23 turnovers and have the worst record in the East at 2-9. Jeremi Grant

scored 16 points, Josh Jackson added 11 off

the bench, and Killian Hayes had five points, five assists and six steals.

Isaac Okoro had nine points and nine rebounds for Cleveland, which scored 27 points

off turnovers. Ricky Rubio had five points, nine assists and five steals.

The Cavaliers, who are off to their best

start in five seasons, owned a 74-52 lead after three when Garland

beat the buzzer with his fourth 3-pointer of the night.

Growwing Pains

Pistons G Killian Hayes is struggling in his first full season

starting at the point,

shooting 30.6% from the field while averaging 6.0 points and 2.9 assists. Coach Dwane Casey believes those

numbers will improve as he gets comfortable with G Cade Cunningham. “Cade isn’t a point guard, he’s a basketball player, but him

handling the ball a little bit more has helped Killian’s rhythm,” Casey said. “And it will

continue to improve.”

Tip-ins

Pistons: C Luka Garza, a 6-foot-11 rookie from Iowa, was recalled from the G League and was the

first substitute in the game. … C Kelly Olynyk (left knee

sprain) will miss at least six weeks after injuring his medial collateral ligament Wednesday at Houston. Olynyk is averaging 12.5 points and 5.3 rebounds in 10 games off the bench. “Without Kelly, it’s got to be a gang mentality on the boards for us,” Casey said.

Cavaliers: F Lamar Stevens (right ankle sprain) was hurt in the first quarter and did

not return. … F Kevin Love missed his sixth

straight game and F Lauri Markkanen sat out his fifth as they remain in the NBA’S

health and safety protocols. … G Collin Sexton (left meniscus tear)

is out indefinitely after tearing cartilage in his left knee Sunday at New York. Sexton is

averaging a team-high 16.0 points in 11 games.

Up Next

Pistons: At Toronto on Saturday night.

Cavaliers: Host Boston on Saturday night. The teams also will

play Monday in Cleveland.