NBA: Pistons reach 60-win plateau by racing past Pacers

The Eastern Conference-leading Detroit Pistons closed out just the third 60-win regular season in franchise history on Sunday, leading wire-to-wire in a 133-121 victory over the Indiana Pacers.

With the East’s No. 1 seed in the upcoming NBA Playoffs already secured, Detroit (60-22) limited its entire starting five to fewer than 26 minutes in the regular-season finale. That was still enough time for Paul Reed to make franchise history, becoming the first player in team history to score at least 25 points while shooting a perfect field goal percentage.

Reed finished with a game-high 26 points on 11-of-11 shooting from the floor. Tobias Harris added 24 points on 9-of-12 shooting, including a perfect 4-of-4 from 3-point range.

Detroit was efficient from long distance, hitting 15 of 33 attempts, and shot a strong 50 of 89 (56.2%) overall from the field.

With minutes spread throughout the roster, the Pistons’ reserves capitalized on extended opportunities. Kevin Huerter scored 15 points, while Isaiah Stewart added 16, helping Detroit’s bench outscore Indiana’s 60-45.

The Pacers (19-63) mounted a late push in their final game of a season that ended with the worst win-loss record in franchise history. Indiana cut the deficit to six points with less than three minutes remaining, but the rally fell short. Ethan Thompson scored 18 points to lead the late effort.

Quenton Jackson and Obi Toppin each scored 21 points to lead the Pacers, while Kobe Brown added 20. Micah Potter finished with a double-double of 15 points and 11 rebounds.

Detroit’s reserves helped build a lead that reached as many as 27 points in the third quarter after an 18-9 run out of halftime. Reed and Ausar Thompson highlighted the surge with consecutive dunks as the Pistons dominated points in the paint, 62-38.

Cade Cunningham had an unusually quiet shooting night, finishing 3-of-12 from the field for seven points. However, he still contributed eight rebounds and 14 assists, finishing just short of a triple-double despite reduced minutes.

—Field Level Media/Reuters