Pistons 89, Cavaliers 79: Brandon Knight scored 17 points and Detroit placed four players in double figures while winning its fifth straight home game.

The Pistons built a 20-point lead in the third quarter and held off a late rally by Cleveland, which cut the lead to six in the closing minutes. Kyle Singler and Tayshaun Prince each scored 15 points for the Pistons. Jason Maxiell added 12 points while Greg Monroe had nine points and 14 rebounds.

The Cavaliers, who didn't have a scorer reach double figures until the fourth quarter, have dropped 12 of 14. Anderson Varejao scored 17 points and had 18 rebounds for his ninth straight double-double and 13th of the season. Cleveland played without starting guards Kyrie Irving (broken finger) and Dion Waiters (sprained ankle).

Tristan Thompson gave Cleveland its only lead by scoring the first basket of the game, but the Pistons scored the next six points and were ahead 27-13 late in the quarter. Detroit scored 30 points and shot 62 percent in the period.

Detroit led 71-51 with 4:06 remaining in the third quarter. Cleveland chipped away at the lead and Varejao's basket with 3:31 left in the game made it 83-76, forcing the Pistons to call timeout. Varejao's two free throws with 1:54 left cut the lead to 85-79, but Cleveland could get no closer.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Cleveland coach Byron Scott moved F Alonzo Gee to Waiters' spot at shooting guard and started Omri Casspi at small forward. ... The Cavaliers are 2-8 since Irving was injured. ... Detroit blocked eight shots in the first half and had 13 for the game.