Pistons final score: Detroit throws down, holds on vs. Cavaliers

It's remarkable what a presence in the paint can do for a team's defense. Of course, it helps not having to play against the opposing team's top guards, too.

With Kyrie Irving and Dion Waiters both sidelined for the Cleveland Cavaliers due to injuries, the Detroit Pistons threw a block party on Monday night, blocking 13 shots and suffocating the Cavs offense into a 34-percent shooting night. It was the most blocks by the Pistons since 2007.

6-foot-7 Jason Maxiell had five of those blocks for the Pistons.

"You would never know how tall Jason Maxiell is because of how hard he plays. He may be 6-5, 6-6 -- he calls himself 6-8 -- but he plays like he's seven feet. That's what it boils down to: he plays as hard as he can every single play," rookie Andre Drummond said after the game, who had three blocks of his own.

The Pistons led by as many as 22 in the first half, thanks to 56 points and 15 assists on 23 baskets, but played an extremely ugly second half (just 33 points) and, despite what the score might suggest, had to hold on in the final minutes.

But ugly wins are wins and, really, it's another positive sign for these young Pistons. Gritting out games and holding opponents to fewer than 80 points is A-okay in this fan's book.

Game Bullets:

* Drummond had seven points and 12 rebounds (9 offensive) to go with his three blocks in just over 19 minutes. MORE.

* Playing with a bruised thigh, Brandon Knight had 17 points (seven free throws) and five assists (three turnovers). Knight only had three points, one assist and two turnovers in the Pistons' ugly second half.

* Moose had nine points, 14 rebounds, five assists and two blocks. MORE.

* Box Score

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