Fourth Quarter Surge Pushes Cavaliers Past Pistons 90-80

Posted by Jeff Sack under NBA Game Recap

LeBron James 2.1a

LeBron James scored a game high 33 points, and Mo Williams added 22 more as the Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Detroit Pistons Sunday at the Palace of Auburn Hills 90-80. Cleveland trailed heading into the fourth quarter, but they picked up their defensive intensity, as well as their offense in the final 12 minutes to win the contest. Pistons guard Allen Iverson led his club with 22 points, the loss puts Detroit only 4 games over the .500 mark, and just 3.5 games ahead of the Milwaukee Bucks in the NBA Central Division.

Both teams looked rather confused in the first quarter, and the offense suffered as the result leading to the Pistons being on top 18-16 at the end of the period. Cleveland was down by 6 points with 28 seconds left to play in the second when LBJ drove the lane, made the shot, was fouled on the play, and hit his shot at the line. The game reached the half with Detroit leading 39-36.

The Pistons came back to the floor in the third and apparently found their offense in the locker room. A.I. drove the lane and put the ball up and in with 1 second in the period, and Detroit led at the end of three quarters by the score of 66-58. The Cavaliers opened up the fourth quarter on a 12-2 run, and took a 73-68 lead when Mo Williams drained a mid-range jumper with 7:28 left in the quarter. The Pistons would threaten one more time as Tayshaun Prince put the ball in the basket from 9 feet away with 4:09 left in the quarter, and cutting the Cleveland lead to 1 point at 77-76. The Cavaliers would then score 11 unanswered points and would take an 88-76 lead with 1:05 remaining when James penetrated to the basket and put the ball through the hoop. Detroit never recovered.

LeBron James scored 33 points, 8 assists, 4 rebounds, 1 block, and 1 steal, in the Cleveland victory. Mo Williams had 22 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals, while Zydrunas Ilgauskas added 13 points, and 8 rebounds.

Allen Iverson had 22 points, 3 rebounds, 3 steals, and 1 assist, while Richard Hamilton came off the bench with 16 points, 2 rebounds, and 1 assist. Tayshaun Prince scored 11 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists, while Amir Johnson added 11 points, and 9 rebounds. Cleveland with the victory improves to 37-9, Detroit now has a record of 25-21.

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