AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Sporting Alert – Cleveland Cavaliers are just one win away from sweeping the Detroit Pistons in their first-round playoff Eastern Conference series. Complete Download Box Score
The No. 1 seed, on the back of solid productions from its big three, overcame the challenges of the Pistons to secure a 101-91 victory in Game 3 and improved to 3-0 in the series.
Point guard Kyrie Irving scored 26 points on 11-for-20 shooting, including a clutch 3-pointer late in the game to lead the way for the Cavs, with Kevin Love and LeBron James both grabbing double-doubles.
James, who played over 42 minutes, had 20 points, 13 rebounds and seven assists while Love finished with 20 points on 7-for-20 shooting to go with 12 rebounds in the win for the Cavaliers.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope scored 18 points and had four steals to lead the Pistons (0-3), with Reggie Jackson finishing with 13 points and 12 assists and Marcus Morris adding 16 points for Detroit, which struggled again from behind the arc after shooting 26 percent.
The hosts went just 6-for-23 from long-range.
Cleveland, which tied an NBA playoff record with 20 3-pointers in Game 2, made another 12 in Game 3, with J.R. Smith and Irving both making three apiece.
Matthew Dellavedova scored 12 points and dished out five assists off the bench for the Cavs, with Tristan Thompson pulling down 10 boards.
Tobias Harris contributed 13 points, seven rebounds and four assists for Detroit in the defeat.
Game 4 is Sunday night at the Palace of Auburn Hills again.
