Detroit Pistons complete NBA play-off picture

The Detroit Pistons sealed the final NBA play-off spot with a 115-89 victory over the New York Knicks.

Detroit went into the final game of the NBA regular season knowing a win would secure post-season basketball and they raced to a 65-41 lead at half-time.

Luke Kennard hit 27 points, Reggie Jackson scored 21, while Andre Drummond had 20 points and 18 rebounds as the Pistons tied up the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference.

Detroit’s victory ended the Charlotte Hornets’ play-off hopes.

Kemba Walker scored 43 points for Charlotte in a 122-114 loss to the Orlando Magic, who finished seventh in the east and will take on the Toronto Raptors in the play-offs.

The Denver Nuggets, who face the San Antonio Spurs in the first round, came back from 95-84 down with four minutes to play to beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 99-95, while the Los Angeles Clippers – the reigning champions Golden State Warriors’ opening opponents – needed overtime to beat the Utah Jazz 143-137.

Russell Westbrook hit his 34th triple-double of the season – with 15 points, 17 assists and 11 rebounds – in a 127-116 win for the Oklahoma City Thunder over the Milwaukee Bucks, while Dwyane Wade also scored a triple-double in his last game for the Miami Heat before retirement.

But his contribution of 25 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists was not enough as Miami went down 113-94 to the Brooklyn Nets, while the Portland Trail Blazers beat the Sacramento Kings 136-131.

Elsewhere, LaMarcus Aldridge scored 34 points as the Spurs beat the Dallas Mavericks 105-94, the Memphis Grizzlies saw off the Warriors 132-117, the Philadelphia 76ers beat the Chicago Bulls 125-109 and last-second free throws from Edmond Sumner helped the Indiana Pacers to a 135-134 win over the Atlanta Hawks.