AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — Defense has made the Detroit Pistons one of the most consistent playoff teams in more than a decade.

Their latest postseason victory was a prime example of just how effective they can be.

After leading by only two points at halftime, the Pistons shut down LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers in a 79-61 win Sunday in Game 7 of the second round of the NBA playoffs to earn a spot in the Eastern Conference finals for the fourth straight year.

James can hold his head high after his first playoff run, even though the 21-year-old superstar was held to only one field goal in the second half by the Pistons in the final game of his third season.

"They trapped me, they went under screens, they went over screens," James said. "I've seen almost every defense that I could possibly see for the rest of my career in this series.

"That's why they're Eastern Conference champions, and that's why they keep winning."

Playing in his first postseason, James was sensational at times for Cleveland, pushing the NBA title favorites to the brink of elimination.