Detroit’s Defense Simply Too Good

The Detroit Pistons aren’t only on an eight-game winning streak -- they’ve put together a string of blowouts.

The Pistons have won by an average of nearly 22 points during their run, holding opponents to an average of just under 70 points.

Detroit’s defense dominated in the first half Sunday at Cleveland and the Cavaliers lost, 96-76. Despite the loss, they remained in the eighth playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

The Pistons held the Cavaliers to a season-low 31 points in the first half. They led by as many as 28 in the third quarter.

Minnesota 98, Denver 77 -- The Nuggets lost their shooting touch and their hold on the final playoff spot in the Western Conference. Kevin Garnett had 20 points and 13 rebounds to lead the Timberwolves at Minneapolis. The Nuggets, who shot 31%, fell half a game behind Utah for the final conference playoff spot.

Miami 101, Washington 81 -- The Heat ran its season-best winning streak to five, blowing the game open with a 31-9 run that began late in the first half and extended more than eight minutes into the third quarter. The Heat held on to sixth place in the Eastern Conference.

Dallas 101, New Jersey 98 -- The Mavericks made two big defensive plays in the final 18.8 seconds at East Rutherford, N.J. Dirk Nowitzki blocked a shot by Jason Collins underneath the basket, seconds after his jumper gave the Mavericks a 99-98 lead with 26.8 seconds left. With 5.4 seconds left, Steve Nash tipped away an inbounds pass intended for Lucious Harris.

Toronto 121, New Orleans 120 -- Vince Carter finished a 42-point, 12-rebound performance with a go-ahead three-point basket and two game-clinching free throws in overtime at New Orleans.

Jamaal Magloire had 23 points -- 15 on free throws -- for the Hornets, who set an NBA season high for free throws attempted with 60. They missed 14.

Seattle 84, Orlando 67 -- Ray Allen scored 22 points and Vitaly Potapenko had a season-high 21, helping the SuperSonics win their fifth in a row while handing the Magic, who went without a basket for seven minutes in the second half, its 17th consecutive road loss.