James’ triple-double goes to waste as Pistons top Cavs
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — Andre Drummond had 20 points and 16 rebounds, and the Detroit Pistons scored the first 13 points of the fourth quarter before holding on for a 106-101 victory over the injuryplagued Cleveland Cavaliers on Thursday night.
LeBron James had 29 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists — and threw down over a half-dozen tremendous dunks — but the Cavaliers have now lost three straight and five of their last seven. J.R. Smith played for Cleveland after a thumb injury had kept him out since December, but Kevin Love and Kyle Korver were out, and the Cavaliers lost Andrew Bogut earlier in the week with a broken leg.
Cleveland led 80-73 after finishing the third quarter with a 22-5 run, but the Pistons started strong in the fourth, and a tip-in by Reggie Jackson gave Detroit an 82-80 advantage.
Jackson also beat the shot clock with a floater with 55 seconds left, lifting the Pistons to a 103-98 lead.
James and Kyrie Irving had 19 points each in the first half, but Detroit led 55-52 after two quarters. James had five dunks in the half, including a two-hander in the first quarter in which he swung a bit on the rim and received a technical foul. That play gave Cleveland a 27-12 advantage, but the Cavs’ lead would never surpass 15.
Former Blazer Robinson hospitalized
Former Trail Blazer Cliff Robinson has been hospitalized in Portland with and undisclosed illness. Robinson’s family issued a statement confirming that the 50-year-old former forward was being treated at Providence St. Vincent Medical Center. “He is grateful for the support of family and friends. We ask for privacy during this time,” the statement said. Russell Westbrook had his 31st triple-double of the season to help Oklahoma City beat San Antonio on Thursday night. Westbrook had 23 points, 13 rebounds and 13 assists to match Wilt Chamberlain’s 1967-68 campaign for the secondmost triple-doubles in a season. Victor Oladipo scored 20 points, and Enes Kanter added 14 points and 10 rebounds for the Thunder. They snapped a four-game losing streak.
Austin Rivers scored 20 points, and Chris Paul added 19 points and seven assists to lead Los Angeles past Memphis. The Clippers solidified their hold on the fifth seed in the Western Conference, while Memphis continued a skid that has reached four straight.