Cavaliers Down Pistons, NBA Scores

One year after he carried the Cavaliers as far as he could in the postseason, James once again has Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love by his side. Cleveland's Big Three are playoff healthy again.

Irving scored 31 points in his first playoff game since he was injured last year in the NBA Finals, and Love, who was knocked out by an injury in the first round a year ago, added 28 to lead the Cavaliers to a 106-101 victory over the young and confident Detroit Pistons in the opener of their first-round playoff series Sunday.

James added 22 points and 11 assists for the top-seeded Cavs. They are favored to win the Eastern Conference but got all they could handle from the fearless Pistons.

Cleveland's championship chances were dealt a major blow when Love's shoulder was dislocated in just his fourth playoff game last year at Boston. The Cavs advanced to the Finals without him, only to have Irving break his kneecap in Game 1 against Golden State, an injury that left James to fight the Warriors on his own.

As he sat between his teammates -- who combined with him for 81 points, 24 rebounds and 18 assists -- following the game Sunday game, James looked relieved.

"For these two guys, they were just excited to get back to this moment," he said. "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 made two critical 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.

Sunday, April 17 Scoreboard
    
Cleveland 106, Detroit 101

EASTERN CONFERENCE 1ST ROUND - GAME 1

Miami 123, Charlotte 91

EASTERN CONFERENCE 1ST ROUND - GAME 1
    
San Antonio 106, Memphis 74

WESTERN CONFERENCE 1ST ROUND - GAME 1
    
Los Angeles Clippers 115, Portland 95

WESTERN CONFERENCE 1ST ROUND - GAME 1

Monday, April 18 Schedule (All Times Central)

Indiana at Toronto, 5

EASTERN CONFERENCE 1ST ROUND - GAME 2

Dallas at Oklahoma City, 6

WESTERN CONFERENCE 1ST ROUND - GAME 2

Houston at Golden State, 8:30 p.m.

WESTERN CONFERENCE 1ST ROUND - GAME 2