Richard Hamilton led the way for Detroit with 21 points on 9-of-20 shooting, while Antonio McDyess had 18 points and 13 rebounds and the Pistons had six players ending the night in double-figure scoring.

For Cleveland, LeBron James netted 20 points on a poor shooting night as some strong Detroit defence saw him finish the game with 5-of-16 from the field.

The win moves the Pistons to 49-27 with a week of the regular season to go, while Cleveland and Chicago, which also lost today, fall to 46-32.

Detroit holds the best record in the Eastern Conference, while Chicago and Cleveland are battling for a higher seeding when the play-offs begin.

The Bulls could not get past Anthony Parker and the Toronto Raptors, who have won eight of their past 10.

Parker scored 27 points and Chris Bosh chipped in with 22 to lead the Raptors to a 103-89 home win.

Ben Gordon was best for the Bulls with 27.

Charlotte outscored Miami 19-11 in the overtime period to triumph over the Heat 111-103 and spoil Dwyane Wade's return from the left shoulder injury he suffered against Houston in January.

The Heat trailed by 10 at three-quarter-time but had a chance to win it in regulation when, trailing 92-91, Dwyane Wade was fouled by Raymond Felton with two seconds left.

Unfortunately for the Heat, Wade made only one of two from the charity stripe, leaving the scores tied and forcing overtime.

Wade, who came off the bench, played a little over 26 minutes and finished with 12 points, eight assists and three rebounds.

In Los Angeles, the Phoenix Suns (58-19) scored 41 final-term points to record a 115-107 win over the Lakers, who fall to 40-37 and have now dropped five of their past seven matches.

Steve Nash had 25 points and 11 assists for the Suns, while Leandro Barbosa provided 23 points off the bench.

Best for Los Angeles were guards Kobe Bryant (34 points on 14-of-25 shooting) and Smush Parker, who had 25 points.

Phoenix holds the second seed in the Western Conference behind Dallas (63-13) and ahead of San Antonio (55-21).

Despite the loss, the Lakers remain the No.7 seed, ahead of the across-town LA Clippers (37-38).

In other results, Philadelphia 76ers beat Atlanta Hawks 109-104 in overtime and Houston accounted for Sacramento Kings 112-106.

NBA results
Detroit Pistons 87 Cleveland Cavaliers 82
Phoenix Suns 115 Los Angeles Lakers 107
Toronto Raptors 103 Chicago Bulls 89
Charlotte Bobcats 111 Miami Heat 103
Philadelphia 76ers 109 Atlanta Hawks 104
Houston Rockets 112 Sacramento Kings 106