(Photo by David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images)
CLEVELAND - LeBron James scored 31 points before taking a seat on the bench, Larry Nance Jr. reached career highs with 22 points and 15 rebounds in his first start for Cleveland, and the Cavaliers dominated the Detroit Pistons 112-90 Monday night.
The Cavaliers are missing three big men, All-Star Kevin Love, Tristan Thompson and Jeff Green, the Cavs needed someone to step up and Nance Jr. came through. Wearing No. 22, the same as his father had retired by the Cavs, Larry Nance Jr. had the best game of his young career.
James was his usual brilliant self, making 5 of 7 3-pointers and adding seven rebounds and seven assists. With the Cavs comfortably ahead, James sat the entire fourth quarter, a rarity in this odd season.
Blake Griffin scored 25 to lead Detroit, which has lost nine straight away from home. The Pistons haven't won on the road since Jan. 10. Andre Drummond scored 15 but didn't reach double-digit rebounds for the first time in 19 games.
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