Rose’s late shot leads Pistons past Cavaliers 115-113
CLEVELAND (AP) — Derrick Rose hit a 15-footer with 27 seconds left and the Detroit Pistons rallied for a 115-113 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday night.
Rose, who scored 24 points, scored on a runner in the lane to give Detroit a 114-113 lead and cap a comeback that began with the Pistons trailing 110-91 early in the fourth quarter.
Cleveland set up for a go-ahead shot, but Collin Sexton was called for stepping out of bounds with seven seconds left. The ruling was overturned, but Sexton’s shot in the lane didn’t hit the rim and Detroit was awarded possession on a shot-clock violation.
Andre Drummond made one of two free throws with 1.6 seconds to play for a two-point lead. Drummond tipped away Kevin Love’s long pass for Tristan Thompson and the clock ran out.
Drummond finished with 23 points and 20 rebounds, the 38th time in his career he has hit the 20-mark in both categories..
The win provided some good news for the Pistons, who were playing the finale of a six-game trip. Star forward Blake Griffin had surgery on his left knee and will face an extended rehabilitation period. The Pistons said they have no timetable for his return.
Kevin Love matched a season high with 30 points, but Cleveland lost its fifth straight and went winless on its four-game homestand.
Love has been the center of attention for his recent behavior, which included an outburst on the bench in Toronto last week, and showing up his teammates and coaches during a loss to Oklahoma City on Saturday.
Love spoke about the incidents at Tuesday’s shoot-around,calling his actions “childish.” He was 12 of 15 from the field and gave the Cavaliers an extra possession when he dove on the floor for a loose ball in the fourth quarter.
THAT’S A LOT OF PACKING
Detroit completed its first trip with games in all four time zones since Dec. 5-16, 1979. The Pistons played both Los Angeles teams, Golden State, Utah and San Antonio, and finished 1-5.
The Cavaliers open a similar trip Thursday in Detroit that will also take them to play the Lakers, Clippers, Denver, Memphis and Chicago.
TIP-INS
Pistons: Coach Dwane Casey said that he hasn’t been given any indication if Griffin will play again this season. … G Reggie Jackson (spine stress reaction) was examined by his doctor in Los Angeles and is making good progress, according to a team spokesman. Jackson played in the first two games of the season before being injured.
Cavaliers: A flu bug has been going around the team. Thompson returned after missing Sunday’s game, but G Dante Exum was out. … G Matthew Dellavedova, who had made 7 of 56 3-pointers going into the game, hit from behind the arc in the second quarter.
UP NEXT
The Pistons and Cavaliers meet for the second time in three days Thursday at Little Caesars Arena. It will be the first regular-season game for longtime University of Michigan coach John Beilein in Detroit.
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