AUBURN HILLS, Mich., March 29 (UPI) -- Five players scored in double figures in a balanced attack Saturday and the Detroit Pistons ripped the Cleveland Cavaliers 85-71.
Detroit pulled away after a 29-19 lead through the opening period. That lead was 49-34 at the half and was never less than double digits after Tayshaun Prince's jumper ended the first period.
Richard Hamilton scored a team-high 14 points, while Chauncey Billups and Jason Maxiell both scored 13 for Detroit. Prince had 12 points, seven rebounds and five assists, and Antonio McDyess scored 12 with 10 rebounds for the Central Division champion Pistons, who are seeded second in the Eastern Conference playoff race behind Boston.
LeBron James led Cleveland with 13 points, four rebounds and five assists. Devin Brown and Zydrunas Ilgauskas scored 11 points apiece and Joe Smith scored 10 with five rebounds for the Cavaliers, whose road losing streak increased to six games.
