The Pistons are starting to look like a Detroit Pistons team is supposed to look.
Detroit beat the Charlotte 112-105 to win their fifth game in a row, further tightening their grip on a playoff spot.
The Pistons did it with a complete team effort, as has been their style in their recent hot streak. Big man Andre Drummond played big, scoring 18 points and grabbing 14 boards. Guards Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (21 points) and Reggie Jackson (17) got their buckets, as did Marcus Morris, who came up with 20 points and seven rebounds.
But it hasn't just been the starters.
Third-year center Aron Baynes has been a big part of the winning streak. The backup came up with 16 points and seven rebounds off the bench on Friday, and has hit double-figures in three of the team's last five games, including a 21-point, seven-rebound performance against the Nets. They've gotten similar production from Anthony Tolliver.
Friday's win, along with back-to-back losses by both the Bulls and Wizards, the Pistons (39-34) are clearly in control of their own destiny in seventh place. They could even improve their position with the Hornets (41-31) just two games ahead of them in sixth place.
Tweet of the Night:
They might not be the Golden State Warriors, but the San Antonio Spurs are still pretty damn good.
With tonight’s #SpursWin , we tie the 95-96 Bulls for the best home start in @NBA history (37-0) pic.twitter.com/GtbADFjwb0
— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) March 26, 2016
Highlight of the Night:
This. Dude. Right. Here.
How did he? #StephGonnaSteph on @csnauthentic . pic.twitter.com/9sm3luoHCJ
— GoldenStateWarriors (@warriors) March 26, 2016
Studs of the Night:
The Rockets took down the Raptors and James Harden was a big reason why. Harden put up a triple-double with 32 points, 13 assists and 11 rebounds as the Rockets downed the Eastern Conference’s second-best team.
LaMarcus Aldridge put up the big numbers that justify his hefty contract. Aldridge scored 32 points and grabbed 12 rebounds as the Spurs beat the Grizzlies 110-104 to stay a perfect 37-0 at home.
Looking Ahead:
Spurs (61-11) at Thunder (50-22) Eleven games separate the Spurs and Thunder record-wise, but they are the second and third teams in the West, which means they could meet in the second round of the playoffs.