Pistons Find a Gear Cavaliers Can’t Reach

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — In a single half, the Detroit Pistons taught LeBron James everything he needs to know about defense in the playoffs -- and finished off yet another series comeback.

While Detroit moves on to its fourth straight Eastern Conference finals, the 21-year-old Cleveland Cavaliers standout is left to ponder his dizzying lesson.

“They trapped me; they went under screens; they went over screens,” said James, who was held to one second-half field goal Sunday in the Cavaliers’ 79-61 Game 7 loss to Detroit. “I’ve seen almost every defense that I could possibly see for the rest of my career in this series.”

After leading by two at halftime, the Pistons’ defense smothered James, letting Detroit pull away to set up a conference finals rematch with Miami starting Tuesday.

The Cavaliers led, 3-2, in the second-round series and had a chance to eliminate the Pistons at home in Game 6. James finished with 27 points in Game 7.

“There’s nobody on his level that can get his teammates involved like he does,” said Tayshaun Prince, who led the Pistons with 20 points. “He sees the plays before they even happen, and no one else does that. That’s the reason this went seven games.”

The Pistons held Cleveland to the lowest-point total in any Game 7 in NBA history; the third-lowest total in any playoff game since 1955; and 23 points in the second half, which tied the fewest scored in a postseason half since the shot clock was introduced a half-century ago. The Cavaliers shot 31%.

“In a pressure situation, you do what you do best, and for us, that’s defending,” Detroit Coach Flip Saunders said.

Detroit, which never trailed, took command with a 19-6 run that started in the third quarter and ended with it ahead, 67-52, midway through the fourth.

Larry Hughes, playing for the first time since Game 2 because of the death of his brother, had 10 points, the only Cavalier besides James to reach double figures.