Cavs doomed by defense

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. (AP) -- In a single half, the Detroit Pistons taught LeBron James everything he needs to know about defense in the playoffs -- and finished off yet another series comeback.
While Detroit moves on to its fourth straight Eastern Conference finals, the 21-year-old James is left to ponder his dizzying lesson.
"They trapped me; they went under screens; they went over screens," said James, who was held to one second-half field goal Sunday in the Cavs' 79-61 Game 7 loss to Detroit. "I've seen almost every defense that I could possibly see for the rest of my career in this series.
"That's why they're Eastern Conference champions, and that's why they keep winning."
Playing in his first postseason, James was sensational at times for Cleveland, pushing the favorites to win the NBA title to the brink of one of the most stunning upsets in league history.
But he and the Cavaliers were rendered helpless when it mattered.
Typical Pistons.
After leading by just two at halftime, the Pistons' defense smothered James, allowing Detroit to pull away.
Lost series lead
The Cavs led 3-2 in the second-round series and had a chance to eliminate the Pistons at home in Game 6 because James has surpassed unprecedented hype.
"There's nobody on his level that can get his teammates involved like he does," said Tayshaun Prince, who led the Pistons with 20 points. "He sees the plays before they even happen, and no one else does that. That's the reason this went seven games."
Detroit coach Flip Saunders said when he went home to watch film during the series, he reminded himself that James could be a junior in college.
"That's scary," Saunders said.
What the Pistons can do on defense -- when they choose to play with intensity, like in a closeout game -- probably is just as frightening for opponents.
The Pistons held Cleveland to the lowest-point total in any Game 7 in NBA history; the third-lowest total in any playoff game since 1955; and 23 points in the second half, which tied the fewest scored in a postseason half since the shot clock was introduced a half-century ago.
The Cavs made just 31 percent of their shots and scored fewer points than any team has this postseason.
Take a look at low-scoring records in NBA history, and you'll see Detroit frequently on almost every list.
"In a pressure situation, you do what you do best, and for us, that's defending," Saunders said. "We locked down."
In a rematch of last year's conference finals, Detroit plays host to Miami Tuesday night in Game 1. The Heat have been resting since eliminating New Jersey last Tuesday.
"We can catch our breath for about eight hours," Saunders said.
Distinction
The Pistons are the first team to reach the conference finals in four straight years since the Chicago Bulls did it from 1990-93.
Detroit, which never trailed Sunday, took command with a 19-6 run that started in the third quarter and ended with it ahead 67-52 midway through the fourth.
The Pistons have been among the NBA's elite in recent years by clamping down on defense when necessary. That time arrived in the second half against a franchise in the second round for the first time since 1993.
"Detroit showed why they are champions, when they turned it up a notch," Cavs coach Mike Brown said.
James carried the Cavs in the first half, scoring 21 points and outscoring the rest of his teammates, but Cleveland struggled to find open spots on the court to shoot after halftime.
The Pistons held the Cavs to a franchise playoff-low 10 points in the third quarter, and James didn't make a field goal in the second half until it was too late. His three-point play with 4:42 left in the game cut Cleveland's deficit to 12 points.
James' teammates failed to give him much support, with only reserve Larry Hughes scoring in double figures with 10 points.
Meanwhile, the Pistons had their usual balance on offense, with Prince's 20 points followed by Richard Hamilton (15), Rasheed Wallace (13) and Chauncey Billups (12).
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