Pistons top Warriors to clinch NBA playoff berth
Golden State's Draymond Green blocks a shot attempt by Jalen Duren in the Warriors' NBA loss to the Detroit Pistons (Nic Antaya) The Detroit Pistons beat the Golden State Warriors 115-101 on Friday to become the first Eastern Conference team to clinch an NBA playoff berth. Jalen Duren scored 23 points and Daniss Jenkins added 22 for the Pistons, who grabbed their 51st victory of the season despite the absence of star guard Cade Cunningham, who is out for at least two weeks with a collapsed lung. Ausar Thompson came up with seven of the Pistons 16 steals.
In all the Warriors had 26 turnovers, leading to 32 Detroit points. "That was a point of emphasis for us going into the game, trying to figure out how our defense can create that chaos that we're looking for," said Pistons coach J. B.
Bickerstaff. The Boston Celtics maintained their hold on second place in the East with a 117-112 come-from-behind victory over the Memphis Grizzlies. Jaylen Brown scored 30 points and reserve Luka Garza scored 11 of his 22 in the fourth quarter as the Celtics held off the injury-depleted Grizzlies.
Memphis took a four-point lead into the fourth quarter and were up 103-102 with 5:33 remaining. But Boston unleashed a 10-0 scoring run to snatch the victory and stay ahead of the third-placed New York Knicks -- who edged the Brooklyn Nets 93-92. Karl-Anthony Towns scored 26 points and grabbed 15 rebounds and Jalen Brunson added 17 rebounds and eight assists for the Knicks -- who erased an early 13-point deficit then squandered a 14-point fourth-quarter lead before emerging with the win.
- Rockets down Hawks - In Houston, the Rockets brought the Atlanta Hawks down to earth with a thud, ending the Hawks' 11-game winning streak with a 117-95 blowout victory. Kevin Durant scored 25 points and Jabari Smith Jr. added 23 points and nine rebounds for the Rockets.