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Cavs fall to Pistons, streak reaches 26

Feb 10, 2011 - 4:16 AM Cleveland, OH (Sports Network) - The Pistons had two cures for their loss to the league-leading Spurs -- strong bench play, and a game against the lowly Cavaliers.

Rodney Stuckey scored 22 points, fellow reserve Will Bynum had 17 and Detroit used a big run in the second half Wednesday to pull away for a 103-94 victory over Cleveland, running the Cavaliers' NBA-record losing streak to 26 games.

The Pistons' top three scorers all came off the bench, with Charlie Villanueva adding 13 points. Tayshaun Prince was the only starter to crack double digits, scoring 10.

Detroit, coming off its loss to the Spurs on Tuesday, won for the third time in four games.

"They played hard tonight," Pistons swingman Tracy McGrady said of the Cavs, "but we needed this win as well."

Cleveland fell to 1-36 in its last 37 games. In addition to running their record losing streak to 26, the Cavs also lost for the 11th straight time at home despite getting 22 points from Antawn Jamison, and 20 points and 12 assists from Ramon Sessions.

Despite being within striking distance in the second half, Cavs head coach Byron Scott thought his team showed no sense of urgency in yet another loss.

"Last week we got better each game and tonight I thought we took a step back and it was all because of lack of effort," said Scott.

The good news? Cleveland started an eight-game homestand Wednesday that also includes visits from the Clippers, Wizards, Lakers, Rockets, Knicks, 76ers and Spurs.

If the Cavaliers don't snap their losing streak Friday against the Clippers, something will have to give Sunday when the Wizards carry their 0-25 road record into Quicken Loans Arena.

Like they have so many times in a streak that dates back almost two months, the Cavs had a chance in this one.

They drew as close as three points late in the third quarter when Jamison hit a jumper to get them within 71-68. But the Pistons pulled away with a 15-2 run that bled into the fourth quarter, holding the Cavs to just one basket in nearly five minutes of action.

Prince scored five points during the spurt, and Villanueva capped it with a three-pointer to make it 86-70 early in the fourth. Cleveland's only points during 4:49 of game time was Christian Eyenga's dunk late in the third.

The Cavs cut their deficit to single digits in the fourth when Daniel Gibson buried a three-pointer from the corner to get them within 98-89. But they could never get it closer than six the rest of the way.

Cleveland's only win since November 27 came against the New York Knicks on December 18 -- which was also the first day of college football bowl season.

"We don't need anybody to hold us accountable," said Sessions. "We're all grown professionals."

The Cavs also allowed a 15-2 Detroit run in the first half, wiping out an early lead. Stuckey made two free throws for a 25-16 Pistons lead after the first quarter, and Bynum's layup to start the second capped the spurt for a 27-16 advantage.

Cleveland was never closer than six before halftime, while Detroit's lead reached 16 twice, the last time on a Villanueva put-back to make it 52-36. The Pistons carried a 55-43 lead into the locker room.

Game Notes

The Cavs' loss to Dallas on Monday -- No. 25 in the streak -- set a team record for futility, surpassing the streak they carried into the game and also the 24-gamer that spanned the 1981-82 and 1982-83 seasons...The Pistons have beaten Cleveland twice during the streak, also winning a game on December 5...Detroit will begin a five-game homestand Friday against the Miami Heat.