The Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the host Detroit Pistons, 100 - 98, to sweep the best - of - seven Eastern Conference first - round playoff series Sunday at The Palace of Auburn Hills. As would have been expected, the Pistons went down scratching and clawing until the closing seconds of the contest that ultimately ended their 2015 - 16 season. The game was a nip - and - tuck battle for all four quarters, with the two teams alternating the advantage through the first half. Cleveland entered the final quarter nursing a razor - thin 81 - 78 edge, and needed a clutch three - pointer from Kyrie Irving with 42 seconds remaining to put some distance between them and the Pistons. Detroit had closed the gap to 97 - 96 on the prior possession with a timely long - range shot of their own from Kentavious Caldwell-Pope with 1:7 left. Reggie Jackson was able to get the Pistons back within two after Irving's shot with a driving dunk with 32 seconds left, but then misfired on a 26 - foot three - point jumper with a second remaining that would have given them a likely 101 - 100 win. Instead, it's the Cavaliers that move on to the second round of the playoffs, in their continued attempt to return to the NBA Finals for a second consecutive season. Irving led the way with 31 points, five assists, three rebounds and a steal, including a mid - court buzzer beater to close out the third quarter. LeBron James turned in a double - double, totaling 22 points, 11 rebounds, six assists and two steals. J.R. Smith followed with 15 points and a rebound. Kevin Love produced a double - double of his own, managing 11 points, 13 rebounds, two assists and a steal. Matthew Delladedova paced the bench with 11 points and an assist. Detroit's attack was spearheaded by Maurice Morris's 24 points, which he complemented with a rebound. Tobias Harris supplied a 23 - point, 13 - rebound double - double that also included a pair of assists. Andre Drummond tallied 17 points, 11 rebounds and a pair of blocks. Jackson registered 13 points, 12 assists, three rebounds and a block. Cleveland will face off with the winner of the Celtics-Hawks series in the second round.
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