Pistons’ Drummond scores big as team wins fourth game in row

straight victory. If the Pistons had lost this game, the Heat would have automatically qualified for the playoffs.

“It’s been a long season. It’s been a tough one for us. We’re not where we necessarily envisioned ourselves, but like I said I’m just proud of the resiliency this team’s had,” Jackson said. “Despite what our record may say, coming in every day and trying to get better and continue to battle.”

Jackson and Anthony Tolliver each scored 17 points for the Pistons, who won for the sixth time in seven games despite playing without Griffin because of a bone bruise. Reggie Bullock added 16.

Griffin went down not long after Jackson returned from a 37-game absence with a sprained right ankle. Had the Pistons had more time with both along with Drummond, they may have been a playoff team. Instead, they were five games back of Miami and Milwaukee after Saturday’s win with six to play.

Drummond was 8 for 13 from the floor and the formerly woeful free-throw shooter was 6 of 8 from the line. The All-Star center had 24 points and 23 rebounds in a victory over Washington on Thursday and leads the NBA with seven 20-point, 20-rebound games this season.

Michael Beasley scored 32 points and Trey Burke Jr. added 18 points and 15 assists for the Knicks, who have dropped three straight and locked up another 50-loss season, which didn’t sit well with Beasley.

“Not good. I’m a bad loser. Sore [loser],” he said. “But at the same time, you have to be able to accept the situation.”

The Pistons swept the three-game season series, having won the other two games by a combined seven points.

The game was close throughout and Detroit finally opened the first double-digit lead of the night for either team at 111-101 on Ish Smith’s basket with under 2 minutes remaining.