Cavs pull even with Pistons in conference finals, win 91-87

CLEVELAND -- With a helping hand from a teammate even younger than him, LeBron James pushed the Cleveland Cavaliers as close as they've ever been to an NBA title.

James scored 25 points -- 13 in the fourth quarter -- and rookie Daniel Gibson added a season-high 21 as the Cavaliers evened the Eastern Conference finals series with a 91-87 victory over the Detroit Pistons in Game 4 on Tuesday night.

The 21-year-old Gibson made 12 free throws, Drew Gooden added 19 points and Eric Snow hit a crucial free throw in the final seconds for the Cavaliers, who have never played in the finals.

Game 5 is Thursday night in Auburn Hills, Mich.

The Cavs are making just their third visit to the conference finals, and each time they've been tied 2-2 before losing in six games. When he was drafted, James promised to bring the championship-starved city a title and he's closing in on one quicker than anyone expected.

Chauncey Billups scored 23 points, Rip Hamilton 19 and Tayshaun Prince 15 for the Pistons, who needed last-second wins to go up 2-0 in the best-of-seven series and are suddenly the team looking for answers.