Sexton leads Cavs over Pistons

Associated Press

CLEVELAND

Collin Sexton scored 27 points, including the go-ahead 3-pointer with just under two minutes to play, and the Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Detroit Pistons 126-119 on Monday night.

Both teams were missing star players. Blake Griffin (rest) sat out for Detroit, while Kevin Love was out with a sore back for Cleveland after taking a hard fall in Saturday’s loss to Dallas.

Andre Drummond nearly made up for Griffin’s absence with 21 points and 21 rebounds, but the Cavaliers hit clutch shots down the stretch against a Pistons team that is fighting for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

Sexton’s 3-pointer gave Cleveland a 115-114 lead with 1:54 left. Following a missed shot, Cedi Osman hit another 3 with 1:24 to play, putting the Cavaliers up 118-114.

Detroit’s Reggie Jackson missed a 3 before Sexton knocked down another shot from behind the arc with 39 seconds left to make it 121-114.

Cleveland placed seven players in double figures, including Osman with 21 points and Nik Stauskas with 17.

Drummond has had 12 games with at least 20 points and 20 rebounds this season.

Wayne Ellington hit seven 3-pointers and finished with 25 points for the Pistons (36-34), who are sixth in the Eastern Conference, a game ahead of Brooklyn and 21/2 in front of Miami.

Detroit coach Dwane Casey is monitoring Griffin’s workload as the Pistons begin a five-game road trip that will take them to the West Coast. Griffin scored 25 points in 33 minutes during Sunday’s win over Toronto.

TIP-INS

Cavaliers: Brandon Knight scored 16 points. Marquese Chriss had 10 points and 10 rebounds. ... F Larry Nance Jr. (bruised rib), G Matthew Dellavedova (concussion), C John Henson (right wrist) and F Tristan Thompson (sore left foot) remain out.

UP NEXT

Pistons: Visit the Phoenix Suns on Thursday.

Cavaliers: Host the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday.