AUBURN HILLS, Mich – It was about what you might expect from a preseason opener, especially one played on the heels of a lockout.

The Cavaliers and Pistons combined for 42 turnovers and shot the ball like they just picked it up for the first time in five months.

But coach Byron Scott was pleased about one thing on a night that will be best remembered for Kyrie Irving’s pro debut. His team defended with conviction in a 91-87 win in The Palace at Auburn Hills.

Defense has been the focus throughout the first week of training camp and, for at least one night anyway, Scott was rewarded.

“I’m happy with the effort,” the coach said. “I thought our effort was terrific especially on the defensive end. Offensively, we have a lot of work to do, but we kind of knew that going in that the defense was going to be ahead.”

The Cavs ranked 23rd in defense last season, allowing 104.5 points.  The return of center Anderson Varejao from ankle surgery should help in that area. He was energetic and engaged in 22 minutes, grabbing four rebounds, blocking a shot and swiping the ball from a Pistons guard at midcourt.

Another player who should eventually help is rookie Tristan Thompson. The 20-year-old was visibly nervous in the first half, committing four fouls and looking a bit lost.

But he had a good fourth quarter, blocking a pair of shots and showing his athleticism around the basket. He finished with eight points and four rebounds.

NOTES, QUOTES, OBSERVATIONS

— Irving was another one admittedly nervous as he entered the game with under three minutes left in the first quarter. His first shot, a 3-pointer from the left wing, clanged off the rim and backboard. His second effort was another miss from the right baseline.  But once he found his rhythm Irving got to the basket and the foul line. He was 13-of-15 at the stripe, where he scored the team’s final five points. The fact he was knocked down hard and kept attacking the rim was impressive. Scott wasn’t thrilled with his point guard’s defensive play – he got beat off the dribble by Brandon Knight and Will Bynum – but as the coach conceded “for his first game in nine months I’m not going to be too critical on him.”

– Irving did commit five of his team’s 21 turnovers. He also had three assists, a total that should have been higher if teammates could have finished around the basket.  

— It should be fun to watch rookies Irving and Knight become Central Division rivals. Knight, the eighth overall pick, finished with four points and four rebounds.

— Scott on the decision to start Ramon Session over Irving: “Don’t we all have to earn our jobs? Chris Paul had summer league, he came in a month early before training camp. It’s no fault of Kyrie’s that there was a lockout. He has to learn the little things and the big things. I don’t think it’s fair just to give him the ball. He has to earn my trust and he has to earn that position.”   

— Unsung hero of the night was Samardo Samuels. He worked his ample derriere off. The undersized forward had 15 points, grabbed seven rebounds and went to the line 16 times.

— Christian Eyenga had a tough night, committing six turnovers and contributing just two points.

— Scott gave the team Saturday off in advance of Sunday’s Wine and Gold Scrimmage.