NBA: Pistons end play-off drought, Heat bamboozled by Magic

Detroit Pistons guard Reggie Jackson (third from left) gets control of the ball against the Washington Wizards. PHOTO: USA TODAY SPORTS

MICHIGAN (Reuters) - Reggie Jackson poured in 39 points, one shy of his career high, and the Detroit Pistons clinched their first play-off berth in seven seasons by topping the Washington Wizards 112-99.

Tobias Harris had 17 points and pulled down nine rebounds for Detroit (43-37), which gave away a 19-point lead but recovered to end the longest play-off drought in the Eastern Conference.

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope tossed in 14 points and Marcus Morris contributed 13 for the Pistons, who will make their first post-season appearance since the 2008-09 season.

All-Star Andre Drummond, who scored his 4,000th career point, was limited to eight points and six rebounds.

Markieff Morris' 29 points led Washington (38-41), which was eliminated from play-off contention. Bradley Beal supplied 25 points for the Wizards, who played without All-Star point guard John Wall. He sat out for the second straight night with a sore right knee.

At the Amway Centre in Orlando, Nikola Vucevic scored 29 points and Evan Fournier had 28 to lead Orlando past Miami 112-109.

The Magic (34-45) snapped the Heat's two-game winning streak and hurt the Heat's efforts to secure home-court advantage in the first round of the play-offs.

Elfrid Payton had 16 points and 10 assists for Orlando. Victor Oladipo, who left the game late in the third quarter with a cut over an eye, had 13 points.

Dwyane Wade led the way with 17 points for Miami (46-33). Goran Dragic had 15 points and eight assists. Hassan Whiteside contributed 13 points, 16 rebounds and three blocked shots.

In Dallas, Dirk Nowitzki scored 21 points and the Dallas Mavericks are closing in on a play-off spot after overcoming the Memphis Grizzlies 103-93.

Dallas (41-38) has won six in a row to reduce its magic number to clinch a Western Conference post-season berth to one with three regular season games remaining.

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