NBA Playoffs: Top Four Stories From The Series Openers

April 16, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) shoots the basketball against Houston Rockets center Josh Smith (5) during the first quarter in game one of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
April 16, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) shoots the basketball against Houston Rockets center Josh Smith (5) during the first quarter in game one of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
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Apr 17, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) works against Detroit Pistons guard Reggie Jackson (1) during the second quarter in game one of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 17, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) works against Detroit Pistons guard Reggie Jackson (1) during the second quarter in game one of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Cavaliers Outlast Hungry Pistons in Game 1

The Cavaliers have led the pack in the Eastern Conference all year. Yet, the main storylines of their season have been about the discord in the land of King James.

In their first game against the Pistons, it appeared as if all the off-court distractions might materialize into an upset victory for Detroit.

Andre Drummond and the Pistons gave the Cavaliers all they could handle in a wire-to-wire game. Marcus Morris and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope led the way with 20 and 21 points, respectively.

In the end, it took the combined talent of the Cavaliers Big Three to overcome to outlast the Pistons. Kyrie Irving led the way with 31 points. Kevin Love had a double-double with 28 points and 13 rebounds. LeBron James finished with a quiet 22 points and 11 assists.

Much has been made of the fact that Detroit won three of four regular season meetings with the Cavaliers. This has led to speculation that the Pistons are poised to upset a distracted Cleveland squad. But, a seven-game series is very different from a regular season meeting, and it will take a special run for the Pistons to comeback to win the first round matchup.

Next: Blake Griffin Soars Back into Form