The Detroit Pistons have taken a 2-0 lead on the Cleveland Cavaliers in the conference semifinals with their 107-97 victory Thursday, May 7. This comes two days after the Pistons beat the Cavaliers 111-101 in Game 1.

And while both contests were played on the Pistons' home court, Little Caesars Arena – so not entirely unexpected outcomes – Cleveland had chances in both games to steal a win on the road. But for the second game in a row, Cavaliers star James Harden struggled – especially in the first half.

The Cavaliers acquired Harden, a three-time scoring champ and 11-time All-Star at this year's trade deadline, in part to help them make a deeper run in the playoffs than last year, when, as the top seed in the East, they were upset by the Indiana Pacers 4-1 in the conference semifinals.

If Cleveland wants to go deeper this year, they will need Harden to knock down more shots, be much more accurate on his 3-point shooting, increase his assists and tone down his turnovers. Harden made a committed a crucial turnover with 30 seconds remaining in Game 2 with Cleveland down six points and trying to rally.

JAMES HARDEN WITH THE ANKLE BREAKER 🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/RuDobWxppj

— NBACentel (@TheNBACentel) May 8, 2026

In Game 1 against the Pistons on Tuesday, May 5, Harden scored 22 points but shot just 40% (6-for-15) from the field and made only 1-of-7 3-pointers (14.2%). And while he dished out seven assists, he also turned the ball over seven times.

Harden and the Cavaliers have a chance to right the ship Saturday, May 9 when they host Detroit in Game 3 at 3 p.m. ET (NBC), but they need

Here are Harden's stats from Game 2 for the first half and the game: