The Detroit Pistons have defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 87-75.
Tayshaun Prince matched a season high with 29 points and rookie Brandon Knight added 16, leading the Detroit Pistons to a win over Cleveland on Wednesday night, handing Irving and the Cavaliers their fifth straight loss and pushing them further from the playoff picture. Prince made all four 3-pointers and added eight rebounds for the Pistons, who closed with an 11-4 burst after the Cavaliers closed within five.
Kyrie Irving scored 20 points with nine rebounds and six assists for Cleveland, which has dropped eight of nine and fallen from contention for the final postseason spot in the Eastern Conference. The Cavs have only won 4-14 since beating Detroit in February to improve to 13-17. Irving tried to bring the Cavaliers back in the fourth quarter and his jumper made it 76-71 with 4:08 left. But Knight hit a 3-pointer, Jason Maxell grabbed a rebound and dunked and Prince backed Alonzo Gee down in the lane before dropping a short hook. Irving, who has been having trouble recently scoring and have been in a shooting slump, finally scored for the first time since the first quarter and the Cavs closed the third with a 10-2 run to pull within seven points. Then but Knight was able to hit a three to seal the win for the Pistons.
The Pistons will be playing the Chicago Bulls Friday, Mar. 30. The Pistons may have a troubled game playing against the Bulls as they already clinched the play-off berth, but the Bulls may play their bench players as they don’t want the starters or someone like Derek Rose getting a lot of minutes and getting hurt before the play-offs. The Pistons may have a chance of still being able to get a spot for the play-offs, but they will have to win most of the games left in the season.
The Cavaliers will also be playing the Milwaukee Bucks Friday, Mar. 30. The Cavaliers have been having a rough year this season. Right now they are stuck in a five game losing streak. For the players and the fans of the Cavaliers they hope that they can use this win to bring back some confidence.