NBA Game Summary - Detroit at Cleveland

03.22.2005

Cleveland, OH (Basketball News) - LeBron James scored 29 points and Eric Snow dished out 10 assists to lead the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 91-76 victory over the Detroit Pistons at Gund Arena.

Zydrunas Ilgauskas added 13 points in the win, while Drew Gooden contributed 10 points and eight rebounds for Cleveland, which snapped a three-game losing streak. Cleveland has won four of the last six games against the defending NBA champions.

The game marked a successful debut for Cavaliers interim head coach Brendan Malone, who took over after Paul Silas was fired on Monday.

Rasheed Wallace scored 25 points with 10 boards and Tayshaun Prince chipped in 22 points in the loss. Ben Wallace had eight points and a game-high 14 rebounds for the Pistons, who had their five-game winning streak halted. Detroit has lost three of its last four in Cleveland.

Detroit was without Richard Hamilton, who was out with a sprained left ankle. Hamilton is also expected to miss Wednesday’s game in Philadelphia.

The Cavs erased a two-point halftime deficit with a 7-2 run to begin the third quarter. Gooden’s basket gave Cleveland a 48-47 lead and Ilgauskas capped the run with a short jumper for a 52-49 advantage.

Leading 52-51, Ilgauskas hit back-to-back baskets and James scored five points during a 9-2 run that gave the Cavs a 61-53 advantage. Cleveland maintained the lead throughout the rest of the third quarter and carried a 65-59 edge into the final frame.

Anderson Varejao slammed down a dunk with 5:39 remaining as the Cavs remained in control, 77-66, and cruised to the 15-point win.

Ira Newble was 4-of-4 from the field and the Cavs were 11-of-20 in the opening quarter, but led by just one, 23-22, after 12 minutes as the Pistons (46 percent) also shot the ball well.

The Cavs extended their lead to 33-26 after a basket by Jeff McInnis early in the second quarter, but Detroit used a 12-4 run to take the lead. The Pistons, who outrebounded Cleveland 27-18 in the first half, held on for a 47-45 lead at intermission.

Cleveland has won four of its last five home games...Varejao finished with 11 points...Newble did not score after the first quarter and ended with eight points...The Pistons shot 4-for-18 from the field in the third quarter.

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