Rasheed & A.I. End Cavaliers Win Streak At Eight Pistons Win 96-89

Posted by Jeff Sack under NBA Game Recap

The Detroit Pistons sent a message to the Cleveland Cavaliers Wednesday night; if the Cavaliers want to become top team in the NBA Central Division, they will have to go through the “Motor City” to accomplish it. The Pistons put an end to Cleveland’s eight game winning streak as they came back from a double-digit deficit at the half to beat the Cavaliers 96-89. Allen Iverson was a major factor for Detroit as he led his team with 23 points, and Rasheed Wallace recorded a double-double in front of the the fans at the Palace at Auburn Hills.

This match-up has become a very serious rivalry over the last few years, as Cleveland started playing in the NBA Post Season. Detroit defeated the Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals in 2006, Cleveland would take down the Pistons in the Conference Finals in 2007, sending them to their first trip to the NBA Finals. The two opponents have undergone some major make-overs during the past year, but the rivalry seemed just as fierce Wednesday night as it had been in the past.

The Cavaliers were playing in the second of back to back games, but if they suffered from fatigue there certainly no signs of it in the first half. Cleveland broke out to a 24-16 lead at the end of the first quarter. They still had the hot hand during the second quarter, and would head into the locker room with the score 49-38. The Cavaliers led 57-46 when LeBron James split a pair at the line with 7:07 left in the third period. It was at that point that the Pistons went on the attack as they would out score Cleveland 20-11 and trailed by just 2 points heading into the fourth 68-66. The lead went back and forth through the first minutes of the quarter, but Detroit would take the lead for the rest of the game courtesy of a pair of back to back treys by Rasheed Wallace. Detroit led 82-76 with 6:37 left in the contest, and would not surrender the lead the rest of the game.

Allen Iverson had 23 points, 4 steals, 4 assists, 1 rebound, in the Detroit victory. Rasheed Wallace recorded a double-double, 21 points, and grabbed 15 boards, Richard Hamilton scored 15 points, 5 assists, 2 rebounds, 1 steal.

LeBron James put in 25 points, 6 assists, 6 rebounds, 4 steals, Mo Williams also had 25 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal. Zydrunas Ilgauskas scored 13 points, 6 rebounds, 2 blocks, 1 assist, Delonte West added 11 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 block. Detroit with the win improves to 8-3, they trail Cleveland in the Central by a half game as the Cavaliers are now 9-3.

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