Originally published Sunday, March 30, 2008 at 12:00 AM

Detroit 85, Cleveland 71 | Detroit rolls, and Cavaliers clinch

Although the Cleveland Cavaliers clinched a spot in the playoffs Saturday night, LeBron James wasn't in the mood to celebrate. In fact, the superstar...

By Larry Lage

The Associated Press

PREV of NEXT

DUANE BURLESON / AP

The Cavaliers' LeBron James (23) drives around Richard Hamilton of Detroit on Saturday. James was held to 13 points on 4-of-17 shooting.

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — Although the Cleveland Cavaliers clinched a spot in the playoffs Saturday night, LeBron James wasn't in the mood to celebrate.

In fact, the superstar acknowledged being concerned because his team is banged up with just nine games left in the regular season.

Richard Hamilton returned to Detroit's lineup and scored 14 points, leading the Pistons to an 85-71 win over the injury-riddled Cavs.

"It's been really frustrating," James said. "Our team is based on consistency and trying to get momentum, and it's hard to do that when you have guys coming in and coming out.

"We know it's part of the game, but it's happening to us at the wrong part of the season."

The Cavs locked up a spot in the postseason because New Jersey lost at home to Phoenix.

Ben Wallace, in his first game at The Palace since joining the Cavs, was back on the court after missing two-plus games with back spasms. But he didn't last long, needing help to go to the locker room early in the third quarter after his back injury flared up.

"You want to get better, and it's tough when you can't practice much," said James, who had 13 points on 4-of-17 shooting with five assists and five turnovers.

Hamilton had missed three games with a sore hip but came back to play in part because the Cavs routed Detroit 89-73 at home two weeks ago.

"It was a game that I didn't want to miss," said Hamilton, who said his hip was still hurting.

More NBA headlines...

E-mail article Print view Share: Digg Newsvine