Rookie Daniel Gibson did the majority of the damage for the Cavaliers, scoring 19 of his 31 points in the final term, as the Cavs raced away from the Pistons to setup a showdown against the San Antonio Spurs.

LeBron James was his usual self for the Cavaliers, netting 20 points and pulling down 14 rebounds, while big man Zydrunas Ilgauskas was serviceable with 11 points and 12 boards.

Richard Hamilton led the Pistons with 29 points, Chris Webber hit 13 points, while Rasheed Wallace nailed 11 points before being ejected from the game late in the match.

Cleveland opened up a nine point lead early in the second quarter, but Hamilton scored 10 points late in the half to tie up proceedings at 48-48 at half-time.

The third quarter saw the lead change on four occasions but Drew Gooden and Gibson made sure the Cavaliers took a slender 67-66 lead into the final term.

Gibson hit three three-pointers early in the final quarter as the Cavaliers took control with a 79-67 lead.

Chauncey Billups and Hamilton tried hard to bring the Pistons back into the match but Gibson, James and Anderson Varejao made sure the Pistons progressed to their first NBA final series since 1964.

Game one of the series will be held in San Antonio on Friday afternoon (AEST).

NBA RESULTS
Cleveland Cavaliers 98 Detroit Pistons 82