GAME REPORT PISTONS 107, BUCKS 97 News Detroit Pistons

ON THE COURT

PLAYER OF THE GAME: Pistons reserve forward Walter Herrmann scored three points in 6 minutes through the first three quarters but then lit up the Bucks in the fourth when he made 4 of 5 shots - all from three-point range- and scored 13 points. He finished with 5 three-pointers. "He played great," said Pistons coach Michael Curry.

PLAY OF THE GAME: A turnover by Ramon Sessions turned into a fast-break dunk by Arron Afflalo and a 90-79 Pistons lead with 8:35 left.

OFF THE BENCH: In the fourth quarter, Bucks reserve forward Charlie Villanueva strained the left hamstring that kept him out of four games earlier this season. "It was bothering me the first half," said Villanueva. "Then I remember making a move and I couldn't stop. My hamstring just tightened up. It started bothering me again. It's very sore but I'm playing (tonight). We have too many injuries."

STATISTICS SHEET: The Pistons shot 54.5% in the first quarter and 52.6% in the fourth quarter.

UP NEXT

TEAMS: Bucks (7-11) vs. Cleveland Cavaliers (13-3).

WHEN: 8 tonight.

WHERE: Bradley Center.

BROADCASTS: TV - FSN cable. Radio - AM-620.

ABOUT THE Cavaliers: Cleveland has won 12 of its last 13, including a 112-97 home victory over Golden State on Friday night. The Cavaliers' 13-3 start is the best in franchise history, and their league-best 9-0 record at home ties the team mark. Cleveland's 48.7% field-goal percentage entering play Friday ranked first in the Eastern Conference and fourth in the NBA.

PLAYER TO WATCH

Mo Williams, Cavaliers

It's the first game at the Bradley Center for Williams since he was traded by the Bucks to Cleveland last summer. In Cleveland's first 15 games, Williams averaged 15.9 points on 45.1% shooting, 4.7 assists and 33.3 minutes. His 97.1% free-throw shooting (34 of 35) was second in the league to Toronto's Jose Calderon (40 of 40).

LINEUPS

PROBABLE CAVS STARTERS

Player Ht. From

G-Mo Williams 6-1 Alabama

G-Delonte West 6-3 St. Joseph's

F-Ben Wallace 6-9 Va. Union

F-LeBron James 6-8` Akron, Ohio

C-Z. Ilgauskas 7-3 Lithuania

Coach: Mike Brown (fourth season, 158-104).

Injury report: Eric Snow (left knee) is out.

PROBABLE Bucks STARTERS

Player Ht. From

G-Luke Ridnour 6-2 Oregon

G-Charlie Bell 6-3 Mich. St.

F-Richard Jefferson 6-7 Arizona

F-LR Mbah a Moute 6-8 UCLA

C-Dan Gadzuric 6-11 UCLA

Coach: Scott Skiles (first season; ninth overall, 288-262).

Injury report: Michael Redd (right ankle) is day to day; Andrew Bogut (left knee) is out.

THE SERIES

The Bucks lost Nov. 11 in Cleveland, 99-93. The Cavaliers have lost two straight at the Bradley Center.

NUMBERS GAME

4-3 Cleveland's road record.

42.4% Cleveland's defensive field-goal percentage is third-best in the East and sixth-best in the league.

34 Cleveland's halftime lead over Oklahoma City on Wednesday was the biggest in Cavaliers history.

COMING UP

Wednesday: 7 p.m. at the Bradley Center. Bucks vs. Chicago Bulls. TV - FSN. Radio - AM-620.

Friday: 7:30 p.m. at the Bradley Center. Bucks vs. Charlotte Bobcats. No TV. Radio - AM-620.

Sunday: 8:30 p.m. at the Staples Center. Bucks vs. Los Angeles Lakers. TV - FSN. Radio - AM-620.

NOTEBOOK

ON HOLD: The situation with guard Damon Jones remains the same.

"Status quo," said Bucks general manager John Hammond. "Nothing has changed."

Jones was obtained by the Bucks last summer in the trade that sent Williams to Cleveland. But Jones has not reported to the Bucks and both sides are looking into possibilities elsewhere for the veteran guard.

"What has not changed is we are both still exploring opportunities for him," said Hammond. "There could be something out there that could still be beneficial for him, and good for him. I'll say again, we appreciate Damon and his patience and his willingness to work with us on this."

It's a delicate situation because if Jones wanted to join the Bucks, the team would have to bring him in. On the other hand, if Jones did join the Bucks only to have them waive him, that could damage his image and value on the open market. So Jones and the Bucks continue to search for something that would work for both sides.

Jones is still on the Bucks' roster, and Hammond was asked if it wouldn't be better to have someone else in that spot who could at least be a practice player.

"That's absolutely not a factor at this point," said Hammond. "The roster spot is not a factor. We have 14 guys out there. We've never had an issue with practice. We've always had plenty of guys practicing and will continue to do so."

REDD UPDATE: The Bucks are cautiously optimistic that guard Michael Redd, who has been sidelined with an ankle sprain since Nov. 2, will be able to play tonight against Cleveland. "I would say he's probable," said coach Scott Skiles. "He felt really good today. So, go to bed tonight and provided nothing else happens, he'll probably be ready to go."

Tom Enlund