Dec 25, 2014; Miami, FL, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) drives to the basket around Miami Heat forward Luol Deng (9) during the first half at American Airlines Arena.
Dec 25, 2014; Miami, FL, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) drives to the basket around Miami Heat forward Luol Deng (9) during the first half at American Airlines Arena. REUTERS

The Cleveland Cavaliers appear to be more vulnerable at home after succumbing to an embarrassing blowout loss to the Eastern Conference cellar dwellers Detroit Pistons, 103-80. LeBron James suffered what must have been his worst game as a Cavalier after shooting miserably from the field garnering 17 points on 5-for-19 shooting and tallying an infamous triple double with 7 turnovers.

The Pistons behind the stellar plat of point guard Brandon Jennings (25 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists) and Andre Drummond (16 points, 17 rebounds and 5 blocks) completed an 18-0 run to end the second half that turned a 15-point deficit into a 3-point lead. James also appeared to get hurt in that span as he was hit in the left hip but returned to start the third quarter. The Cavaliers were already missing the services of all-star point guard Kyrie Irving who missed his second consecutive game with an ankle ailment.

This is the second consecutive win of the Pistons after unceremoniously waiving disgruntled forward Josh Smith, who was acquired by the Houston Rockets. The team just won impressively against the Indiana Pacers and was even better in this one, making a season high in three points made, and going above 50% from beyond the arc at 17-for-31.

James was not his usual self as he approaches his 30th birthday this Tuesday. James went for 1-for-12 in the second and third quarters after an impressive first quarter. The double-double efforts of Kevin Love (20 points and 10 rebounds) and Tristan Thompson (18 points and 11 rebounds) went for naught as the team struggled to defend penetration that led to a lot of open shots beyond the three point line. Adding salt to the wound is the unfortunate injury to Shawn Marion who went down early with an ankle injury after missing a dunk attempt from a James feed.

The Cavs will hope to bounce back against the second best team in the conference, the Atlanta Hawks, Tuesday. They are hoping to get back Irving by then and celebrate the 30th natal day of King James with a win. The Pistons hope to continue their newfound success at the Orlando Magic, Tuesday night.