Recap: Detroit vs. Cleveland
Sports Network | November 19, 2008
Auburn Hills, MI (Sports Network) - Allen Iverson scored 23 points, had four steals and doled out four assists to lead the Detroit Pistons in a 96-89 comeback win over the Cavaliers, snapping Cleveland's eight-game winning streak.
Rasheed Wallace added 21 points and hauled in 15 rebounds for the Pistons, who have won four of five overall. Richard Hamilton chipped in 15 points and five helpers in the win.
LeBron James had 25 points, six assists, six boards and four steals for the Cavaliers. Mo Williams also had 25 points, while Zydrunas Ilgauskas scored 13. Anderson Varejao ended with 11 boards.
The teams traded baskets before an Iverson jumper tied it at 76. Following a missed James shot, Wallace nailed a pair of threes to give the Pistons an 82-76 lead with about 6 1/2 minutes left.
Cleveland called a timeout before James drove to the basket and was fouled. He hit both shots to make it a four-point game.
Iverson answered with a three-point play and James then bricked a three- pointer. Rodney Stuckey then drained a bank shot for an 87-78 lead.
Detroit's lead hovered around nine points with its biggest advantage being 13 on a Wallace jumper, and the Cavs never pulled closer than six down the stretch.
The Cavs jumped out to a 24-16 lead after the first quarter, and were sitting on a 49-38 cushion at the half.
Down 57-46, the Pistons used a 13-4 run to get back into the game.
Tayshaun Prince got the surge started with a three-point play, Kwame Brown added a three-point play, Iverson drained a three-pointer, against just a Delonte West jumper and James' hook shot for Cleveland. Iverson then added two free throws and Prince nailed a jumper to make it 61-59 with 3:56 showing on the clock.
The visitors still led, 68-66, entering the final 12 minutes.
Detroit went 15-of-18 from the charity stripe. Cleveland was 19-of-25 from the line...Detroit went 3-1 against the Cavaliers a year ago and has won five of six and 10 of the last 12 matchups in the series...Cleveland is winless in its last four trips to Auburn Hills...Prior to the game, the Cavaliers activated Darnell Jackson and placed Wally Szczerbiak on the inactive list. Szczerbiak was excused by the team to address a personal matter. Jackson did not play.
