The Pistons beat the 76ers 116-93 to gain the top seed in the Eastern Conference

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Tobias Harris scored 19 points and Daniss Jenkins added 16 points and 14 assists as the Detroit Pistons beat the Philadelphia 76ers 116-93 on Saturday night to clinch the top seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs.

The last time the Pistons (56-21) were the East’s top seed was in 2006-07. They have already captured the Central Division title for the first time since 2007-08.

Announcement

Jalen Duren added 16 points and seven rebounds, and Ausar Thompson scored 14 points for the Pistons, who have won 12 of their last 15 games.

Both Duren (illness) and Harris (left knee contusion) were listed as questionable. The Pistons are 8-2 in the 10 games Cade Cunningham missed with a collapsed left lung.

Tyrese Maxey led the 76ers with 23 points. Paul George scored 20 points and VJ Edgecombe added 19. George has averaged 25.8 points in six games since returning from a 25-game suspension for violating the league’s drug policy.

The 76ers played without Joel Embiid, who was ruled out with a right oblique injury or illness in the second half of a back-to-back game. The Sixers had won eight of their last 11 games.

Announcement

The teams went back and forth in the first half, the Pistons leading by 10 points after one quarter before the 76ers tied the game in the second. A 15-4 halftime run gave Detroit control, and the Pistons extended their lead to 26 points in the second half.

Next

Pistons: Visit Orlando on Monday.

76ers: Begin a three-game road trip at San Antonio on Monday.

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