Pistons at Knicks
A furious fourth-quarter rally may have saved the Detroit Pistons' playoff chances, and they'll look to finally nail down a spot on the final day of the regular season when they visit the New York Knicks on Wednesday. The Pistons had dropped four in a row to sink to the eighth spot in the East and they trailed the struggling Memphis Grizzlies by 15 points entering the fourth quarter Tuesday night before racing to a 100-93 win.
The victory keeps Detroit one game ahead of ninth-place Charlotte - which owns the tiebreaker with the Pistons - entering the last day of the season. "We kept fighting. We've been working hard," guard Ish Smith told Fox Sports Detroit after tying his season high with 22 points. "These last few games have been tough, they've been tough. For me, I just want to get into the playoffs and when we get there make some noise." The last-place Knicks are finishing strong with three wins in their last five games, including Tuesday's 96-86 triumph at Chicago to finish 8-33 on the road. They have matched the 2014-15 team for the fewest wins in a season in franchise history with one game to go at Madison Square Garden.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, FS Detroit, MSG (New York)
ABOUT THE PISTONS (40-41): The late rally against the Grizzlies came without All-Star forward Blake Griffin, who played just 18 minutes and none down the stretch as he continues to wrestle with a knee injury. Smith carried the load with 13 of his 22 points in the fourth quarter, shooting 9-for-15 from the floor for a team that was at 39.8 percent overall in the contest. Andre Drummond finished with 20 points and 17 rebounds for his NBA-leading 68th double-double, two of which he obtained against the Knicks.
ABOUT THE KNICKS (17-64): Point guard Dennis Smith Jr. scored 25 points at Chicago on Tuesday in his second game after a layoff due to a back injury. Forward Luke Kornet was a force inside with career highs of 13 rebounds and six blocked shots to go along with 12 points Tuesday. Forward Mario Hezonja was held out of the game at Chicago due to an illness but the 24-year-old averaged 25 points, 10.3 rebounds and seven assists over his previous three games.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Griffin told reporters he'll continue treatment Wednesday and labeled himself day-to-day.
2. Detroit SG Luke Kennard was 5-of-9 from 3-point range Tuesday after going 3-for-14 over his previous four contests.
3. The Pistons have won six straight meetings.