Pistons earn final playoff spot in East
Detroit, which beat the Knicks 115-89, will face the top-seeded Bucks in the opening round.
NEW YORK — The Detroit Pistons knew a victory Wednesday night would guarantee them a playoff spot. And, from the opening tip, they left no doubt that was going to happen.
Luke Kennard scored 27 points, Reggie Jackson had 21 and Andre Drummond added 20 points and 18 rebounds as the Pistons locked up the Eastern Conference’s final playoff spot with a 115-89 victory over the New York Knicks on Wednesday night.
The Pistons will face the top-seeded Milwaukee Bucks in the opening round.
Jackson scored 14 points and Drummond had 10 points and seven rebounds as the Pistons never trailed and led by as many as 16 points in the first quarter. Neither player was needed in the fourth quarter.
“We knew what was at stake,” Drummond said. “We knew they were coming in to try and ruin our season that we worked so hard for. Just tried to stick it to them early and get them out of the game.”
Detroit extended its lead to 27 points twice in the second quarter and led 65-41 at halftime.
The Pistons went up by as many as 36 points and led 92-59 after the third quarter.
The Knicks, who were looking to tie a season-high threegame winning streak, instead ended with a 17-65 final-season record, tied with their 2014-15 team for the worst in franchise history.