Cavaliers 93, Pistons 89

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — Power forward Tristan Thompson scored a season-high 25 points and grabbed 15 rebounds and the Cleveland Cavaliers extended their winning streak to a season-best four games with a 93-89 triumph over the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday night at The Palace.

Point guard Kyrie Irving had 23 points for the Cavaliers (20-33), who snapped a seven-game losing streak to the Pistons despite trailing most of the way. Guard Jarrett Jack added nine points and eight assists.

Forward Josh Smith led the Pistons (22-30) with 18 points and 10 rebounds and center Andre Drummond contributed 16 points and 17 rebounds. Forward Greg Monroe added 16 points and nine rebounds and swingman Kyle Singler chipped in 12 points.

Detroit guard Rodney Stuckey, who scored four points, played only one minute of the second half after experiencing dizziness.

Irving made two free throws with 2:06 left to give Cleveland its first lead of the game, 82-81. Smith dunked to put the Pistons back on top before Thompson dunked in putbacks on consecutive possessions to make it 86-83.

After Singler’s free throws brought the Pistons within one, Irving drained a 3-pointer over Singler with 27.2 seconds remaining. Cleveland then closed it out with free throws.

The Cavs used a 12-3 spurt early in the third quarter to cut the Pistons’ lead to one at 57-56. The Pistons scored the last five points of the quarter on Brandon Jennings’ 3-pointer and Drummond’s putback to extend their advantage to 66-59.

Reserve point guard Will Bynum scored baskets on back-to-back possessions, then hit two free throws to lift Detroit’s advantage up to 10 at 76-66.

Cleveland responded with eight unanswered points and tied it at 78-all when Drummond was called for goaltending on a short-range Thompson shot.

NOTES: Cleveland C Anderson Varejao missed his second consecutive game with a sore back. … Detroit C Andre Drummond’s 39 double-doubles are the most by a Piston since Grant Hill posted 44 in 1995-96. “He’s just scratched the surface,” Pistons interim coach John Loyer said of Drummond. “His surface so far has been pretty good.” … The Pistons play a home-and-home against Charlotte, one of the teams they are battling for a playoff spot, upon returning from the All-Star break on Tuesday. The Cavs open their post-All Star break schedule at Philadelphia the same night. … The Pistons are 10-4 at home when shooting at least 45 percent. … Cleveland has used 15 lineups and started 13 players, while Detroit has used only five lineups and eight starters. … PF Tristan Thompson is the only Cavaliers player to appear in every game. … The Cavaliers’ last victory over the Pistons had been a 101-100 thriller on Feb. 21, 2012. … Cleveland is just one of four teams with at least 20 road losses.