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The Detroit Pistons will play the Cleveland Cavaliers Tuesday night in The Palace of Auburn Hills in a game that could decide who ends up in last place in the Central Division.
Detroit, 22-38, holds a 1.5-game lead over Cleveland in the Central Division. That lead would be bigger but the Pistons have lost five of six coming in, the lone win coming against the 7-53 Charlotte Bobcats, whose losing streak now sits at 17.
There are, though, a few silver linings.
First, rookie guard Brandon Knight is averaging 19.7 points and 7.3 assists over his last three, a marked improvement from his season averages of 12.8 and 3.8.
Also, the Pistons held a fourth-quarter lead over the Chicago Bulls in their last game before falling in overtime. A loss is a loss, sure, but the previous three had come by an average of 23 points, so it was a step in the right direction.
The Cavaliers, 20-39, have been without star rookie Kyrie Irving for eight straight games, going 3-5 over that stretch. Irving is doubtful for Tuesday's game.
The Pistons are 1-2 against the Cavs this season.
Tuesday's game starts at 7:30 ET.
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