Pistons topple Knicks in a playoff-ready matchup

With a stellar Cade Cunningham, the Detroit Pistons beat the New York Knicks on Thursday 115-106 in a clash that could be repeated in the first round of the NBA playoffs.

The Knicks are third in the Eastern Conference with a record of 50 wins and 30 losses and the Pistons sixth (44-36).

If these positions hold at the close of the regular phase on Sunday, the two franchises will meet again in the playoffs that kick off at the end of next week.

Detroit hasn't appeared in the playoffs since 2019 and hasn't advanced past a round since 2008. This season, however, the 'Bad Boys' have resurfaced from under new coach J.B. Bickerstaff and with a strong leader in Cade Cunningham.

The point guard, who this year made his debut in an All-Star Game, punished the Knicks' defense with 36 points and eight assists, seconded again by young center Jalen Duren, who had 18 points and 13 rebounds.

Duren, 21, had an immaculate stats of 9-9 from the field against Dominican-American Karl-Anthony Towns, who finished with 25 points and 10 rebounds.

Point guard Jalen Brunson, the Knicks' offensive beacon, was held to 15 points and 5 assists and is still trying to regain his best form after spending a month injured.

Indiana earns home court

In another of Thursday's four games, the Indiana Pacers salvaged a 114-112 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers, who rested their three All-Star players: Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland and Evan Mobley.

Although they are assured of first place in the East, the Cavs put up a huge fight against a Pacers team that needed the win to secure home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs.

With nine seconds on the clock, Cleveland had one last possession to win or force overtime but reserve Jaylon Tyson missed a forced layup at the buzzer.

Point guard Tyrese Haliburton bordered on a triple double for the Pacers with 23 points, 8 rebounds and 10 assists.

Meanwhile, the Atlanta Hawks defeated the Brooklyn Nets 133-109 with a standout performance by Frenchman Zaccharie Risacher.

The young forward, number one in the last draft, scored the highest points of his first NBA season with 38 points, 6 three-pointers and 4 rebounds.

In Milwaukee, the Bucks overcame the New Orleans Pelicans 136-111 with 28 points and 11 rebounds from Giannis Antetokounmpo, who did not need to step on the court in the last quarter.

Closing out the program, Anthony Edwards powered the Minnesota Timberwolves 141-125 win over the Memphis Grizzlies with 44 points against Ja Morant, who finished with 36 tallies.