The Detroit Pistons and their playoff hopes were dashed by the streaking Philadelphia 76ers, beaten 115-108 in the NBA on Wednesday.
Needing a win to stay mathematically in the hunt, the Pistons fell flat soon after the tip and went behind as many as 19 in the second quarter in Detroit midweek.
JJ Redick scored 25 points to lead the in-form Sixers, who won their 12th successive game.
The Pistons loss clinched a postseason spot for the Milwaukee Bucks, who join the Washington Wizards, Miami Heat, Indiana Pacers, 76ers, Cleveland Cavaliers, Boston Celtics and the Toronto Raptors as Eastern Conference playoff teams.
Postseason seeding is still up for grabs however as the regular season winds down.
With the win, the Sixers moved into a tie with the idle Cavaliers for the number three seed in the east. The third spot could come down to Friday's matchup between the two teams in Philadelphia.
RAPTORS GUARDS INSPIRE TORONTO
The Toronto Raptors busted out of a mini-slump with a 96-78 win over the Boston Celtics thanks to stellar defensive play from their backcourt. Kyle Lowry, DeMar DeRozan, Fred VanVleet, and Delon Wright all registered a positive plus-minus and committed just five combined turnovers while helping to hold Boston to just 33 percent shooting.
New Orleans Pelicans forward E'Twaun Moore knocked down seven three-pointers en route to 30 points in a 123-95 rout of the Memphis Grizzlies.
MAVS AND MAGIC IN UNWANTED BATTLE
The worst teams in the NBA are trying to lose as much as they can (without the league office taking notice) so they can get a better draft pick. The Dallas Mavericks and the Orlando Magic both tried to lose in their matchup on Wednesday by benching their best players. The Mavs started J.J. Barea, Aaron Harrison, Doug McDermott, Dorian Finney-Smith and Jonathan Motley while the Magic turned to D.J. Augustin, Mario Hezonja, Wes Iwundu, Bismack Biyombo and Aaron Gordon.
Orlando ended up "winning" 105-100 but fellow strugglers the Atlanta Hawks said "hold our beers," and lost 115-86 to the Heat. The Phoenix Suns own the worst record in the NBA at 20-59.
HEZONJA A RARE SHINING LIGHT FOR MAGIC
The game may have been ugly but the Magic's Hezonja showed off with this beautiful pass to Aaron Gordon for the dunk.
WEDNESDAY'S RESULTS
Philadelphia 76ers 115-108 Detroit Pistons
Miami Heat 115-86 Atlanta Hawks
Orlando Magic 105-100 Dallas Mavericks
Toronto Raptors 96-78 Boston Celtics
New Orleans Pelicans 123-95 Memphis Grizzlies
Los Angeles Lakers 122-112 (OT) San Antonio Spurs
TRAIL BLAZERS AT ROCKETS
Both teams are locked into the playoffs but the Portland Trail Blazers are still fighting for postseason seeding. They hold third spot but All-Star point guard Damian Lillard (ankle) is expected to miss Thursday's game in Houston. Shabazz Napier will likely get the start in his absence
