Struggling squads meet in Cleveland

The Cavs lost to the Detroit Pistons, 92-88, on Friday at the Palace of Auburn Hills.

Ricky Davis led the Cavaliers with 25 points, but fell apart down the stretch, and Cleveland lost its 31st straight road game, dating back to last season. Chris Mihm and Zydrunas Ilgauskas each collected 14 points for the Cavaliers, who lost their fifth straight game overall.

Cleveland trailed for most of the game, occasionally by double-digits, but clawed to within two points at 71-69 to open the fourth quarter. The Cavs took the lead three minutes in on a basket by Mihm, but Detroit ended a seven- minute scoreless stretch with a Richard Hamilton bucket to tie things at 73 apiece with seven minutes to play.

The Cavaliers opened up a lead as large as five at 79-74 when James scored with 5:20 to go. But Detroit dominated down the stretch, as the Cavs jacked up bad shots and turned the ball over during a 10-0 Pistons run.

Hamilton’s pair of free throws with a minute and a half left capped the spurt and gave Detroit an 84-79 advantage. Cleveland could get no closer than three

Cleveland power forward Carlos Boozer (ankle) has missed the last five games with a sprained right ankle.

Boozer is questionable for tonight’s game.

The Cavs are 4-2 as the host this season.

Memphis fell to the Minnesota Timberwolves, 102-98, at The Pyramid on Friday.

Williams had 24 points and 11 assists for the Grizzlies, who have dropped three straight contests. Pau Gasol added 20 points and 12 rebounds, while Mike Miller also chipped in 20 in the losing effort.

Kevin Garnett’s turnaround jumper with 6:38 remaining gave Minnesota an 83-78 lead, but the Grizzlies scored five of the next seven points to climb within 85-83.

Memphis would not get any closer as the Timberwolves reeled off seven straight, capped by a pair of free throws from Garnett, and made it 92-83 with 2:31 left in the fourth.

The Grizzlies never seriously threatened the rest of the game.

Memphis Center Lorenzen Wright (ankle) missed Friday’s game and is questionable for tonight’s contest.

The Grizzlies are 3-5 on the road.

In 2002-03, Memphis won both games between the two squads.

Overall, The Grizzlies have won two straight and three of the last four meetings with the Cavaliers.