NBA: Irving, James power Cavaliers over Pistons

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (2) with LeBron James (23) in the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Detroit Pistons in Auburn Hills, Mich., Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2015. AP

DETROIT, United States – Kyrie Irving scored 38 points and LeBron James added 32 points as the Cleveland Cavaliers defeated Detroit 103-95 Tuesday for their seventh NBA victory in a row.

Australian guard Irving, who scored 16 points in the fourth quarter, made 13-of-23 shots from the floor and added six assists and three steals for the Cavaliers.

Four-time NBA Most Valuable Player James contributed seven assists and six rebounds and he netted 10 points in the fourth quarter as the Cavaliers improved to 7-1 since James returned from back and knee injuries.

Tristan Thompson came off the Cleveland bench to grab 12 rebounds.

D.J. Augustin scored 19 points and passed off nine assists while Greg Monroe added 17 points and 12 rebounds for Detroit.

Cleveland improved to 26-20, fifth in the Eastern Conference, and 11-11 in road contests while the Pistons, who lost their third in a row and fourth in five games, fell to 17-29.

The Cavaliers avenged a 103-80 home loss to the Pistons last month.

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