AUBURN HILLS, Mich. (AP) — Kyrie Irving scored 20 of his 31 points in the second half, and the Cleveland Cavaliers finished off a four-game sweep of the Detroit Pistons, holding on for a 100-98 victory on Sunday night.
The Cavs advance to the second round to play either Atlanta or Boston.
LeBron James had 22 points for Cleveland, but it was Irving who made the biggest shots all night. His midcourt buzzer beater put the Cavs up 81-78 after the third quarter, and with Cleveland clinging to a one-point lead in the final minute, he calmly sank a 3-pointer from the right wing with 42 seconds remaining.
Detroit still had a chance at the end, but Reggie Jackson’s wild shot at the buzzer was off the mark.
