Pregame: Cavs at Pistons

Cleveland Cavaliers (0-1) at Detroit Pistons (0-1)
7:30 p.m.; The Palace of Auburn Hills; Fox Sports Ohio

Cavs probables: PG Kyrie Irving, SG Anthony Parker, SF Omri Casspi, PF Antawn Jamison, C Anderson Varejao
Pistons probables: PG Rodney Stuckey, SG Ben Gordon, SF Tayshaun Prince, PF Jonas Jerebko, C Greg Monroe
Officials: Derrick Stafford, Brent Barnacky, Michael Smith
Injury report: Cavs -- Semih Erden (thumb) out; Pistons -- Charlie Villanueva (suspension) out.

Notes
* Byron Scott's postgame press conference on Monday sounded eerily familiar to last season. Scott was talking about a lack of trust on defense, about guys not giving full effort in the first half. Same as last year. The Cavs need to give a better effort defensively, and it needs to begin tonight against the offensively-challenged Pistons.

* Detroit's Charlie Villanueva is serving the second game of his four-game suspension for an on-court fight with the Cavs' Ryan Hollins at the end of last season. The suspension leaves the Pistons rather small behind the 6-foot-11 Monroe, who fell into foul trouble in the Pistons' opener. Without Villanueva and Monroe, the Pistons were smashed on the boards in their season-opening loss at the Indiana Pacers.

* Like Irving, Brandon Knight had a tough pro debut. He had four turnovers in 16 1/2 minutes, but did hit three 3-pointers. Knight isn't a true point guard, but the Pistons are trying to make him one. For now, turnovers might be inevitable.

* The Cavs and Pistsons are expected to be two of the worst teams in the Eastern Conference, but this is certainly a winnable game on the Cavs. After this, they travel to Indiana on Friday.