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Pistons continue domination of Cavaliers

Feb 5, 2007 - 1:02 AM CLEVELAND (Ticker) -- The Detroit Pistons have had their way with the Cleveland Cavaliers. The addition of Chris Webber is keeping the trend going.

Webber scored 13 of his 15 points in the first half and the Pistons had six players in double figures in a workmanlike 90-78 victory over the Cavaliers.

Detroit kept Cleveland superstar LeBron James under wraps for most of the contest and stretched its regular-season winning streak over the Cavaliers to five games, including both contests here this season.

James said Webber is making a noticeable impact with the Piston.

"They are a much better team," James said. "Offensively, when Ben Wallace was there, you could kind of relax on the offensive end when he was on the floor, but you had to be scared of his offensive rebounds. But now they have five guys that can easily score 20 points."

James scored 21 points on 9-of-22 shooting. Six of his points came in the final 2:49, after the Pistons had built a 12-point lead.

Chauncey Billups had 18 points and 10 assists and Rasheed Wallace added 15 and 13 rebounds for Detroit, which improved to 15-9 on the road. That is the best record - and only winning mark - away from home among Eastern Conference teams.

"When (Webber) and Rasheed are rolling like that, man, we are a dangerous team, very dangerous," Pistons guard Richard Hamilton said. "I don't think anybody will want to play us."

Webber hit 6-of-7 shots in the opening half. He scored four points in a 9-2 run to help the Pistons to a 50-43 halftime lead.

"From the beginning, it was pretty dominating from the standpoint - when I say domination, I mean it's very rare that you can control tempo for 48 minutes in a game," Detroit coach Flip Saunders said.

Cleveland got within 58-55 on a baseline jumper by Zydrunas Ilgauskas with 6:22 left. But Webber hit a reverse layup on the ensuing possession to spark a 6-0 spurt, and the Cavaliers never got closer than seven points thereafter.

"It feels good to be on a good team," Webber said. "At any moment, any guy can start carrying the load."

It was the 19th time this season Detroit held an opponent under 90 points.

"I'm at a loss for words offensively," James said. "I don't know. One night we go out and score 100 points and the next night we score 70."

The Pistons dominated the backboards, 40-33, and enjoyed a wide disparity at the line, converting 19-of-24 free throws compared to just 6-of-9 for the Cavaliers.

"For us to get nine free-throw attempts in the ballgame, I am still baffled," Cleveland coach Mike Brown said. "I am confused on it and I know I need to find out what the ruling is, so I can tell my player who is doing a decent job of getting to the hole."