The Cleveland Cavaliers were just getting used to the idea of being back in the playoffs when the biggest reason why they are headed there limped off the court.

A day after their franchise player sprained his ankle, the Cavaliers might be wise to rest LeBron James even if he feels ready to play when they take on the New York Knicks.

James landed awkwardly during the third quarter of a 96-73 loss to the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday and did not return to the game.

The Cavaliers said his status is day to day, but considering they are locked in to the No. 4 seed in the Eastern Conference, the team has little reason to risk playing him again so soon.

The MVP candidate, however, did not feel the injury would force any long-term absence.

"It's sprained pretty good, but nothing serious," said James, who had 22 points - the first time in 11 games he's scored below 30.

"You never really know until the next day, but I've had them before, and this is nothing that bad."

James has not missed a game since being drafted in 2003.

"If I don't feel 100 percent tomorrow, I won't go," said James, third in the league with 31.6 points per game.

When he left the game, the Cavaliers trailed by 24 in a game in which they were clearly outmatched. Other than James, only Zydrunas Ilgauskas had more than eight points as the team struggled offensively, shooting 35.1 percent from the floor and 2-of-16 from 3-point range.

Detroit, the top seed in the Eastern Conference, held Cleveland to 10 points in the second quarter and 29 in the first half.

"They showed us what playoff basketball is all about," said coach Mike Brown, whose Cavs are back in the postseason for the first time since 1997-98. "It will be good for us to have gone through this if we learn from it."

The Knicks' three-game winning streak ended on Monday in a 101-82 loss to the Indiana Pacers.

Jamal Crawford led the Knicks with 26 points and seven assists, but no other Knicks player scored more than 12 points.

"Tonight, we just ran out of gas," Crawford said. "But that is not an excuse. They played with a sense of urgency and desperation trying to make the playoffs."

It's been a rough season for the Knicks, who are without many of their most productive players. Channing Frye is out for the season with a knee injury while Quentin Richardson, Stephon Marbury and Jalen Rose are doubtful against the Cavaliers because of injuries.

The Knicks own the league's third-worst record, standing only a half-game ahead of the Charlotte Bobcats and 1 1/2 ahead of the Portland Trail Blazers.

STANDINGS: Knicks - 5th place, 24 1/2 GB, Atlantic Division. Cavaliers - 2nd place, 16 GB, Central Division.

PROBABLE STARTERS: Knicks - F Qyntel Woods, F Malik Rose, C Eddy Curry, G Crawford, G Steve Francis. Cavaliers - F James or Larry Hughes, F Drew Gooden, C Anderson Varejao, G Eric Snow, G Flip Murray.

TEAM LEADERS: Knicks - Marbury, 16.3 ppg and 6.4 apg; Curry, 6.1 rpg. Cavaliers - James, 31.6 ppg and 6.6 apg; Gooden, 8.6 rpg.

SEASON SERIES: Knicks, 2-0.

LAST MEETING: April 5; Knicks, 96-94. At New York, Crawford scored 37 points, including the go-ahead jumper with 6.4 seconds left. New York ended its nine-game losing streak and while stopping Cleveland's winning streak at nine.

ROAD/HOME RECORDS: Knicks - 7-31 on the road; Cavaliers - 29-10 at home.