The Detroit Pistons locked up the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs Saturday night, defeating the Philadelphia 76ers 116-93 at Xfinity Mobile Arena.
Detroit controlled the second half and stretched the margin to 26 points, securing its 57th victory of the season and confirming the conference’s best record.
The Pistons last finished atop the East in the 2006-07 season and had already clinched the Central Division title earlier in the week, their first since 2007-08.
Tobias Harris led Detroit with 19 points on 7-of-13 shooting, while rookie guard Daniss Jenkins delivered one of the most complete performances of the night with 16 points and 14 assists.
Detroit’s frontcourt also contributed to the balanced attack. Jalen Duren scored 16 points with seven rebounds, and Ausar Thompson added 14 points and five rebounds.
Both Harris and Duren entered the game listed as questionable due to injuries, yet each played a key role as the Pistons improved to 12 wins in their last 15 games.
Detroit has also managed to stay consistent despite the absence of Cade Cunningham, who has missed time with a collapsed left lung. The Pistons have gone 8-2 during the 10 games he has been unavailable.
The matchup remained competitive early. Detroit led by 10 points after the first quarter before Philadelphia responded and briefly tied the game during the second period.
Momentum shifted late in the half when the Pistons closed with a decisive 15-4 run that restored control and created separation heading into the break.
Detroit’s defense tightened after halftime, holding the Sixers to 44% shooting overall and just 28% from three-point range while forcing 15 turnovers.
Philadelphia received 23 points from Tyrese Maxey and 20 from Paul George. Rookie VJ Edgecombe added 19 points.
George has averaged 25.8 points across six games since returning from a 25-game suspension for violating the league’s drug policy.
The 76ers were also without Joel Embiid, who sat out due to right oblique injury maintenance and illness during the second game of a back-to-back.
Without their leading interior presence, Philadelphia struggled to keep pace with Detroit’s balanced offense and rebounding.
The loss ended a recent surge for the Sixers, who had won eight of their previous 11 games entering the matchup.
Detroit finished the night shooting 49% from the field while producing 33 assists and 45 rebounds, reinforcing the team-oriented approach that has driven its rise to the top of the conference.
The Pistons will visit Orlando on Monday as they continue preparing for the postseason with the East’s best record secured.
Philadelphia begins a three-game road trip Monday with a visit to San Antonio.
