Cavs Vs. Pistons

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. (AP)- Stifling the Cleveland Cavaliers' highest scorer proved to be the winning factor for the Detroit Pistons Sunday at the Palace.

With a deficit of 3-2 in the semi-final series, the Pistons steamed past the Cavs to capture a Game 7. Detroit bolstered their defense allowing Lebron James only one second-half field goal. James and the Cavs were sent home after the 79-61 loss.

"We're not going to win many games if we only have one guy scoring," Cavaliers coach Mike Brown said after the upset.

Lebron James, the 21-year-old Cavalier sensation, scored 21 points in the first half, outscoring his teammates. His only second half field goal came at 4:42 left in the game, cutting the Cavs deficit to 12.

James got little help from his teammates, with only reserve Larry Hughes scoring in double figures with 10 points. Cleveland made only 31 percent of their shots and scored fewer shots than any other team this postseason.

The Pistons started strong, scoring the first seven points and taking a 19-6 lead with 3:30 left in the quarter. The Cavs came back with Hughes scoring nine of the 11 points left in the quarter, pulling to 21-15.

By halftime, the Pistons clung to the lead, 40-38.

The Pistons came back after the half, their defense denying the Cavs scoring opportunities and eventually finding a comfortable 58-48 lead by the end of the third.

"[Tayshaun Prince] made the shots when he had to. That's it. You can have one guy go off for 30 or 40 or whatever, but that matters in the end is the sum of the parts," Pistons forward Rasheed Wallace said.

Prince scored 20 points followed by Richard Hamilton (15), Wallace (13) and Chauncey Billups (12), proving the Pistons' well-rounded offense was as integral as their defense.

While Detroit coach Flip Saunders is no doubt excited by the advance to the next round, he also sees room for improvement.

"We're getting what we need as of now, but we're still not hitting all cylinders," Saunders said. "Rip has got to play better. Chauncey needs to get more out of his weapons. It was good, but not good enough for us to get back to the Finals."

The Pistons will go head to head with the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference