LeBron James scored 25 points, grabbed 11 rebounds and dished out nine assists to put the Cavaliers on top.

They are now on the verge of an Eastern Conference quarter-final sweep of the Detroit Pistons.

Joe Smith returned a play-off high 19 points and 10 rebounds for Cleveland, while Zydrunas Ilgauskas scored 13.

The Pistons stayed in contention for three quarters and used a 16-9 third quarter to level the contest at 53-53 heading into the fourth, but James keyed an 18-2 run and Detroit now must win at home on Sunday to extend the series.

Richard Hamilton led Detroit with 15 points, eight rebounds and six assists and Rodney Stuckey contributed 12 points and five assists but Tayshaun Prince scored all his seven points in the first quarter while Rasheed Wallace managed just five overall.