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Blake Griffin, Detroit Pistons blitz Cleveland Cavaliers 127-94 for 1st winning streak

The Cavaliers’ Collin Sexton, right, drives past the Detroit Pistons’ Tony Snell in the first half Tuesday in Cleveland. (AP photo)

CLEVELAND (AP) — The Detroit Pistons are suddenly on a roll.

Blake Griffin scored 24 points, Andre Drummond had 17 points and 14 rebounds, and the Pistons routed the Cleveland Cavaliers 127-94 Tuesday night to win consecutive games for the first time this season.

The Pistons thumped San Antonio 132-98 on Sunday and put together another dominant performance, shooting 54% and hitting 18 of 35 3-point attempts.

“We’re building it, we’re getting better,” coach Dwane Casey said. “We’re not there yet, but we’re getting closer.”

Griffin played just 24 minutes and was 8 of 13 from the field, including 6 of 7 on 3s. Drummond played 31 minutes as the starters were on the bench for the fourth quarter.

The Detroit Pistons' Blake Griffin, right, drives past the Cavaliers' Kevin Love in the first half Tuesday in Cleveland. (AP photo)

Griffin scored 16 points in the first quarter with four triples. The 6-foot-10 forward missed training camp and the first 10 games of the season with a hamstring injury.

“He didn’t have an exhibition season, so he’s still getting his sea legs under him and is playing his way back into shape,” Casey said.

Griffin was called for traveling after Detroit won the opening tip but hit a 3-pointer a minute into the game.

“I don’t think we’ve called the first play of the game for me all season, but that’s OK,” he said with a smile. “It’s not how I really get into it. I just do my thing and take what they give me.”

Detroit hit 10 3-pointers in the first half and built a 57-38 lead, a margin that steadily grew and reached 35 in the fourth quarter.

Cleveland has lost 10 of 11. The Cavaliers were coming off a loss to Milwaukee in which they cut a 22-point margin to three late in the game.

Collin Sexton scored 22 points, and Tristan Thompson had 10 points and 14 rebounds.

Cleveland coach John Beilein removed all five of his starters late in the third quarter with the Cavaliers trailing 87-60. Cleveland’s starters returned in the fourth quarter, but the lead reached 111-76 midway through the period.

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