Pistons clinch NBA playoff spot for 1st time in seven years

Reggie Jackson poured in 14 of his 39 points in the final quarter as the Detroit Pistons clinched their first playoff berth in seven years, with a 112-99 victory over the visiting Washington Wizards on Friday.

Tobias Harris netted 17 points, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope had 14 for the Pistons (43-37), who secured the seventh spot in the Eastern Conference post-season battle.

Holding a 100-96 lead with 2:45 left, Jackson scored eight points to spark a 12-3 closing run, ending the seven-year drought.

Markieff Morris had 29 points, including 24 in the third period while Bradley Beal added 25 for the Wizards (38-41), who were eliminated from the post-season.

Denver ended a run of 10 straight losses to San Antonio _ dating back to 2013 _ by downing a second-string Spurs team 102-98.

Jusuf Nurkic scored a career-high 21 points and Gary Harris had two pivotal defensive plays in the waning seconds for the Nuggets.

Tim Duncan was the only regular starter to play for the Spurs, and finished with a season-high 21 points. Coming off a loss to Golden State, they dropped two straight for the first time this season.

Toronto rookie Norman Powell scored a season-high 27 points as the Raptors beat Indiana 111-98, delaying the Pacers' bid for a playoff berth.

The Pacers need one more win or a Chicago loss to qualify for the postseason. They will clinch if the Bulls lose to Cleveland on Saturday, or by beating Brooklyn on Sunday.

The Clippers rested four starters at Utah, and needed the last-gasp 3-pointer from Crawford to snatch a 102-99 win.

Crawford finished with 30 points and Cole Aldrich added 21 points and 18 rebounds for Los Angeles, which has won eight of its past nine games.

Gordon Hayward had 24 points and 13 rebounds to lead the Jazz.

Dallas closed in on another playoff spot by beating Memphis 103-93.

Dirk Nowitzki scored 21 points and rookie Justin Anderson had a career-high 19 for the Mavericks, who will make the postseason for the 15th time in 16 seasons with a win or Houston loss in the final three games.

Tony Allen scored 25 points to lead injury-riddled Memphis. They lost for the seventh time in eight games, a night after clinching a playoff spot.

Orlando caused some trouble in Miami's push for a top-four spot in the East playoffs by beating the Heat 112-109, with Nikola Vucevic scoring the go-ahead basket in the closing seconds on his way to 29 points.

Boston continued its playoff chase with a 124-109 win against Milwaukee, as Tyler Zeller tied his career high with 26 points.

New Orleans spoiled Lakers star Kobe Bryant's final game in the Big Easy, by beating Los Angeles 110-102. Endi