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The Detroit Pistons and Cleveland Cavaliers will face each other Friday night for the first time since a somewhat chippy and intense playoff series last spring that ended in a Cleveland sweep in the first round. But the games were more competitive -- and physical -- than a typical sweep.Pistons forward Stanley Johnson, at the time only a rookie, bragged he thought he was in LeBron James head during the series. And if he wasnt, the Pistons certainly seemed to be targeting it.Andre Drummond clubbed James with a blow to the head during the series, and Marcus Morris caught James with a body shot. The series grew in intensity throughout, although both sides survived without serious injuries.James sat out Wednesdays loss at Indiana to rest, lowering the Cavs record in games without him to 4-16 since he returned to Cleveland three seasons ago. But hell be back in the lineup for Fridays game in Cleveland, and J.R. Smith could return after missing three games with a sore right ankle.The Cavs appear to have a decided edge over Detroit in rebounding. Although Drummond ranks second in the league in rebounding (13.8 per game), he isnt getting much help. The Pistons rank toward the middle of the pack in rebounding, while the Cavs rank fifth and feature two of the best in Kevin Love (10.8 rpg) and Tristan Thompson (9.9 rpg).The Pistons were smashed on the glass during Tuesdays loss at New York, losing the rebounding 52-40 while allowing the Knicks 19 offensive rebounds that led to 15 second-chance points. Given the number of extra looks the Knicks received, that figure shouldve been even higher.Well be able to go in and look at 10 or 12 plays that were just lack-of-effort plays, lack-of-focus plays, Pistons coach Stan Van Gundy told the Detroit Free Press. You cant afford that on the road and we continue to do that.The Pistons are perfect at home this season, but have just one road win in seven tries. Its a disappointing start for a team that expected to take a big leap after securing the eighth seed last season and pushing the eventual champions despite the sweep.Now the Cavs are rolling despite Wednesdays loss. Theyre among the league leaders in a number of offensive categories and coach Tyronn Lue believes they can play even better.Quickening the pace was a focus for Lue since taking over at midseason last year. He likes the way James pushes when the ball is in his hands, but believes the pace slows a bit when Kyrie Irving is in charge. After lagging near the bottom of the league in pace last season, the Cavs rank just outside the top 10 this year. They are one of 11 teams right now generating at least 100 possessions per game.I think offensively were doing a good job of sharing the basketball. Were trying to play with pace. We need to play even faster, Lue said. At times we play fast, at times we kind of slowly bring the ball up the court. 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WIGGINS, Miss. -- The Mississippi chapter of the NAACP is calling for a federal investigation of a possible hate crime after an African-American football player at a southern Mississippi high school allegedly had a noose placed around his neck and yanked backward by a teammate.Derrick Johnson, president of the Mississippi chapter of the civil rights group, told ESPN the incident took place the afternoon of Oct. 13 at Stone County High School.The alleged victim in the attack, a sophomore member of the football team, was not physically harmed but was terrified by the incident, Johnson said.John Feaster, the first-year head coach for the Stone Tomcats, told ESPN the incident happened inside the football locker room as players were getting ready for practice.I reported it to the administration and handled it as swiftly as I could, Feaster said.The individual that was responsible hasnt been with our team since the incident. I just want it understood, it could have been the biggest superstar and he would have been gone. I dont care who it is -- if you do something like that, you cant be part of our team, Feaster added.The alleged victims father, when reached Monday night by ESPN, declined to comment and said he and his family wish not to be identified.Were calling on federal investigators to view this as a racial hate crime. No child should be in fear of going to school. No child should be walking down the hall or in the locker room and be accosted with a noose around their neck. This is 2016, not 1916, Johnson said at a news conference in Wiggins on Monday.Johnson told ESPN that at least three students, all of them white, were involved in the incident but Feaster, the head coach, disputed those details.To my knowledge it was one individual. It was not a group, Feaster said.Johnson told ESPN the incident was first reported to the Stone County Sheriffs Department by the victims mother, but that she was discouraged from filing a report.Stone County Sheriff Mike Farmer had not responded to a request for comment froom ESPN.ddddddddddddJohnson called on school officials to expel anybody responsible for the incident and said these same individuals came to school earlier this year brandishing Confederate flags on their vehicles.Johnson said the parents of the sophomore who was attacked have not been informed of any punishment for the students involved.Stone County High School Principal Adam Stone referred comment to Superintendent Inita Owen. She and school board attorney Sean Courtney didnt immediately respond to phone calls and emails seeking comment.Allowing students to commit blatant hate crimes without severe consequences sends a message to students that their safety and well-being are not valuable enough to be protected, the NAACP said in a statement Monday.Mississippi has struggled with a history of racial division. It is the last state that still incorporates the Confederate battle emblem on its state flag. In 2014, two out-of-state students at the University of Mississippi placed a noose on the campus statue of James Meredith, the black student who integrated Ole Miss in 1962. Both pleaded guilty to using a threat of force to intimidate African-American students and employees. Neither attends the school anymore.The names and ages of the students involved in the Stone County incident werent immediately released.The African-America student targeted in the attack has returned to school and football practice, according to Feaster.Its tough. I feel bad for the kid it happened to. Thats where my major concern is, Feaster said.When asked about frustrations within the African-American community in the predominantly white Stone County, Feaster responded: Trust me. I understand. Im an African-American male and I was born and raised in Mississippi. Its sad that something like this happens in 2016. I just pray we can get it together.Information from The Associated Press was used in this report. ' ' '