Detroit — Everything lined up for the Pistons. They got the help they needed, but they didn’t play well enough to help themselves.
The Pistons missed a chance to clinch a playoff spot in the East after the Miami Heat lost earlier Sunday. With a win and a victory by the Brooklyn Nets over the Indiana Pacers, the Pistons could have clinched their first playoff spot since 2016.
They didn’t.
The Pistons fell into a 23-point hold and as they’ve done for much of the season, found a way to climb out. They didn’t get out, though, pulling within one point midway through the fourth quarter, but falling short in a 104-91 loss on Sunday afternoon at Little Caesars Arena.