Allen, Mobley power Cavaliers to 113-85 win over Pistons

CLEVELAND(AP) — Jarrett Allen scored 20 points, Evan Mobley added 19 and theCleveland Cavaliers won their fourth straight game, 113-85 over theDetroit Pistons on Wednesday night despite resting their startingbackcourt.

All-Starstarter Donovan Mitchell (groin) and Darius Garland (thumb) got thenight off to heal some nagging injuries and the Cavs barely missedtheir top guards, who average a combined 48.8 points.

With Allenand Mobley doing inside damage and combining for 21 points,Cleveland built an 18-point lead after one quarter.

The Pistonshung around and got within two in the third before the Cavs openedthe fourth by outscoring Detroit 26-4 over the first seven minutesto put it away.

“Jarrett dida great job of setting the tone,” Cavs coach J.B. Bickerstaff said.“There was a bunch of extra-effort plays that he made where he wasjust outworking the guy in front of him. He was able to getoffensive rebounds, his teammates were finding him in thepaint.

“And the samething with Evan. They had opportunities to attack and wereextremely aggressive.”

Allen added14 rebounds as the Cavs outrebounded the Pistons 48-32 and heldthem to their lowest point total this season.

“These typeof games are butt-kicking contests because they play physicaloffense,” Pistons coach Dwane Casey said. “It was a great game forus to feel, to taste, to go up against a hard-nosed, physicalplayoff team.”

BojanBogdanovic scored 15 and rookie Jalen Duren 14 for Detroit. ThePistons have dropped nine of 11 and have the worst record (14-42)in the Eastern Conference.

Cavaliersswingman Caris LeVert, who has been mentioned in rumors leadinginto Thursday’s NBA trade deadline, struggled for much of the game.He finished with 15 points — 10 in the fourth — on 5-of-16shooting.

“He knows weneed him,” Bickerstaff said, “and he knows how to get to his spotsand what he’s capable of, so it’s not one of those things wherehe’s having a bad night and you just sit him down.”

The Cavs areunlikely to make a significant move, but LeVert’s expiring $18million contract does make him attractive for a team looking toclear salary space in the offseason.

Clevelandhasn’t lost since a tough three-point defeat at home againstMiami.

“I feel likeeveryone is just clicking right now,” Mobley said. “Everyone is inattack mode.”

THEGREAT DEBATE

Now that he’sthe NBA’s career scoring leader, LeBron James has checked a box onhis resume that can’t be equaled.

And whilethere will continue to be discussion over whether James or MichaelJordan is the greatest player in league history, Bickerstaffbelieves one argument has been settled.

“I no longerthink there is a debate over who had the greatest NBA career,”Bickerstaff said, referring to James, who spent 11 seasons withCleveland.

ForBickerstaff, James’ best attribute is his well-roundedness — as aplayer and person.

“The way hehas gone about his business,” he said. “He’s a pros pro. He’s abouthis teammates. He made everybody he plays with better. You can be agreat player and be selfless. ”He’s a hell of a role model foryounger players.”

TIP-INS

Pistons:Surprisingly, Detroit came in leading the league in free throwsattempted (27) and made (20.8). ... The Pistons went 17 of 18 fromthe line. ... Rookie Jaden Ivey has scored in double figures in 17straight games.

Cavaliers:LeVert and Raul Neto started in place of Mitchell and Garland. Netohad 14 points eight assists and four steals. ... Recorded theirleague-leading 25th win by double digits. ... Ricky Rubio played 16minutes as the Cavs continue to monitor him following knee surgery.... F Kevin Love was active, but didn’t play for the fifth straightgame. “We’re just trying to give this rotation and opportunity andsee what we got with it,” Bickerstaff said.