DETROIT PISTONS (27-52) 111, CLEVELAND CAVALIERS (24-54) 104
Quicken Loans Arena
Wednesday
Radio/TV: WMMS (100.7 FM)/Fox Sports Ohio

WHAT HAPPENED: Too bad the Cavs didn't get rained out.

Coach Byron Scott used some coaching strategy on Wednesday, using the Hack-a-Drummond. Unfortunately, it didn't work. Drummond, a 34-percent foul shooter, made 8 of 14 free throws in the fourth quarter to foil their plan.

Of course, the play that everyone will remember from tonight was Tristan Thompson's critical error with 17.9 seconds when he fouled Drummond off the ball. Rules state that if a team fouls a player off the ball with under 2 minutes left, the opposing team gets two free throws and the ball out of bounds.

That led to a free throw by Rodney Stuckey. Then, after they took it out of bounds, Jonas Jerebko hit another freebie. That left the score, 107-103, and for all intents and purposes, it was all over.

Thompson didn't admit that he didn't know the rules (to be honest, I didn't). He said he wanted to foul Drummond after he got the rebound, but he was too late.

Thompson might have cost them the game. I'll give them a mulligan on that one. This kid cares about winning. He stood up to the media afterward. Some guys would have hid in the trainer's room. 

LAST GAME: The Cavs lost at Indiana on Tuesday, 99-94.

UP NEXT: The Cavs host New York at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Quicken Loans Arena.

STARTERS

SF Alonzo Gee (6-6, 219) vs. Kyle Singler (6-8, 230)
PF Tristan Thompson (6-9, 227) vs. Greg Monroe (6-11, 250)

C Tyler Zeller (7-0, 250) vs. Andre Drummond (6-11, 285)
SG Wayne Ellington (6-4, 200) vs. Rodney Stuckey (6-5, 205)
PG Kyrie Irving (6-3, 191) vs. Brandon Knight (6-3, 189)
INACTIVE LIST 
Cavs - C Anderson Varejao, G/F C.J. Miles 
Pistons - F Jason Maxiell
OFFICIALS
Bennett Salvatore, Dick Bavetta, Nick Buchert