LeBron, Cavs wear down slumping Pistons

AUBURN HILLS, Michigan –LeBron James scored 33 points and got some timely help from Mo Williams and Daniel Gibson in Cleveland’s 90-80 win over the Detroit Pistons on Sunday.

With James resting, Williams and Gibson outscored Detroit by themselves in a 15-2 run to take a 73-68 lead early in the fourth quarter.

James sealed the victory on a driving layup, an assist, three-pointer and free throw to put the Cavs ahead by nine with 2 1/2 minutes left.

The Central Division-leading Cavs have won six of their last seven and are 12 games ahead of Detroit.

Allen Iverson scored 22 points for the Pistons, who have lost nine of 12 and are 21-21 with him. At Toronto, Dwight Howard had 29 points and 14 rebounds, and Jameer Nelson added 18 points and 10 assists as Orlando never trailed in its 113-90 win over Toronto.

Mickael Pietrus scored 22 points and Rashard Lewis had 15 for the Magic, who led by as many as 24 and have won three straight following back-to-back losses to Boston and Miami.

Orlando broke it open with a 20-6 run to start the second half, keyed by two three-pointers each by Lewis and rookie Courtney Lee. Toronto trailed, 87-65, after three quarters.

Jose Calderon scored 16 points for Toronto, reserve Joey Graham had 14 and Andrea Bargnani had 12.

At Boston, Paul Pierce had 36 points, eight rebounds and six assists, and Ray Allen scored 22 as Boston beat Minnesota, 109- 101, for its 11th straight game.

Al Jefferson, the centerpiece of the trade that brought Kevin Garnett to Boston and set the stage for the franchise’s 17th NBA title, scored 34 points for the Timberwolves. Jefferson also had 11 rebounds for his 26th double-double of the season.

Boston led by as many as 21 in the third quarter, 71-50, before Minnesota scored 15 of the next 17 points. The Timberwolves got within five in the fourth quarter, 94-89, with 5:20 left, but Allen hit a jumper and Pierce made a pair of free throws to make it a nine-point game.   (AP)