Irving scores 15 as Cavs down Pistons 96-84

10/17/2013

CLEVELAND — Kyrie Irving scored 12 of his 15 points in the third quarter to lead the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 96-84 win over the Detroit Pistons in a preseason game Thursday night.

Irving made a 3-pointer at the horn to end the first half and then turned his game up in the third. His assist to Earl Clark for a dunk gave the Cavs, who were missing starting guard Dion Waiters and several others, a 66-60 lead.

Cavs rookie Sergey Karasev hit two jumpers in the fourth and fed Jermaine Taylor for a dunk to give Cleveland a 91-79 lead. Karasev started for Waiters, out with a bruised hip. Taylor scored 10 in the final period.

Greg Monroe scored 16 and Josh Smith added 12 for the Pistons.

Cavs rookie Anthony Bennett, the No. 1 overall pick in this year’s draft, had 12 points. Before the game, coach Mike Brown disclosed Bennett has asthma and sleep apnea.