Tim Hardaway Jr. scored 23 points, and Jalen Duren added 21 points and 18 rebounds to help the Detroit Pistons clinch their first playoff appearance in six years with a 117-105 victory over the Toronto Raptors on Friday night.
Malik Beasley scored 21 points, and Dennis Schroeder had 16 for Detroit, which endured a historically difficult season last year, winning just 14 games and setting an NBA record with 28 consecutive losses.
The Pistons clinched the postseason berth despite being without All-Star Cade Cunningham (bruised left calf) for the sixth straight game and Tobias Harris (right heel).
Ja’Kobe Walter led the Raptors with 22 points, while Immanuel Quickley and Jamal Shead each scored 14. Toronto dropped its third straight game.
The Raptors were without Scottie Barnes (right hand), RJ Barrett, and Ochai Agbaji (rest), playing the second night of a back-to-back.
Toronto recorded its 50th loss of the season, marking the eighth time in franchise history — and the second consecutive season — the team has hit that mark. It’s the first time since their inaugural three years (1995-1998) that the Raptors have posted back-to-back 50-loss campaigns.
Game Takeaways
Pistons: Isaiah Stewart served the second game of a two-game suspension from a March 30 altercation in Minnesota. Ron Holland II and Marcus Sasser returned after missing Wednesday’s game due to one-game suspensions.
Raptors: Coach Darko Rajakovic said Brandon Ingram (left ankle) is improving but isn’t expected to return this season. Gradey Dick (right knee bone bruise) will also miss Toronto’s final four games. He has been sidelined since March 2.
Key Moment
Toronto cut Detroit’s lead to 95-91 with 8:13 left in the fourth after a 9-0 run, but the Pistons responded quickly, scoring eight of the next 10 points, including a pair of buckets by Ausar Thompson to restore control.
Key Stat
Detroit extended its winning streak against Toronto to six games.
Up next
Pistons: Host the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday.
Raptors: Travel to Brooklyn to face the Nets on Sunday.
