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Cleveland Cavaliers 85- Detroit Pistons 82
by
Brian Hagerman
Cleveland @ Detroit
2/3/2004
The Cleveland Cavaliers own one of the longest road losing
streaks in NBA history. But of late, the Cavs look like anything but a losing
team. The team traveled to Auburn Hills to face the Pistons and rode Carolos
Boozer's 21 points and 15 rebounds to an impressive 85-82 win. It marked the
Cavs 8th win in 11 games and their 4th win in 6 road games.
LeBron James learned earlier in the day that he had been
passed over for the All-Star game. James had 12 pts. on 5-19 shooting, including
a buzzer beater to end the first quarter. But he did other things to help the
Cavs in their win. He had six assists, one turnover, four rebounds, and two
steals.
The Cavs trailed by four heading into the fourth quarter.
Cleveland held Detroit scoreless for about the first four and a half minutes of
the fourth and to just 11 points in the quarter. During that span, Zydrunas
Ilgauskas and DeSegana Diop eached scored 4 pts. during a 10-0 run. Ilgauskas
finished with 15 pts., nine rebounds, and five blocks. The Pistons responded to
take an 80-79 lead with 2:35 left in the game, on a Richard Hamilton jumper.
The team defense then stepped up another level during the last
2:35 of the game. The Pistons shot 1-6 from the floor and Cleveland outsocred
them 6-2 for the win. Boozer made a couple of free-throws and Diop made one of
two attempts to put the Cavs ahead 85-82 with two seconds left. A last second
3-point effort by Chauncey Billups was way short. Billups led the Pistons with
19 points.
Cleveland got out of the gates quick, leading 32-20 after one
quarter of play. Boozer and James each had 8 first quarter points. But it was
former Cav Bob Sura who sparked the Pistons with his offense and defense during
the second quarter. The Pistons outscored the Cavs 24-18, but the Cavs still
held a 50-44 lead at the half.
Tayshaun Prince, who finished with 13 points, had a 10 pt.
third quarter to help the Pistons take their four point lead heading into the
fourth.
Diop finished with 7 points and 10 rebounds in just 18 minutes
of work. Ben Wallace played a solid game finishing with 5 points, 5 blocks, and
17 rebounds - seven of which came on the offensive side. Hamilton had 18 points
on 8-18 shooting.
The Cavs shot 41 percent from the floor while holding Detroit
to just 38 percent shooting. And again the Cavs played a solid game of holding
onto the ball having just 8 turnovers, while Detroit committed 12 of their own.
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