Nets win 15th straight at home, finally defeat the Pistons 116-104

The Brooklyn Nets have clinched a playoff spot, which is great news, but their work isn't quite done yet. Entering Friday night they still had a chance, albeit a small one, at moving up in the standings in the Eastern Conference and getting a home-court series in the first round of the playoffs.

In town were the Detroit Pistons, most famously known for getting blown out by the Philadelphia 76ers who were on a 26-game losing streak, while the Nets entered the night riding a 14-game win streak at home. However, the Nets had yet to beat the Pistons this season, which was a wrong they were looking to right on Friday night.

It wasn't much of a challenge for the Nets who continue to roll at home, as they topped the Pistons for the first time this season, 116-104. The Nets shot 60.0% or better from the field for the second time this season and first time since December 16 vs. Philadelphia.

The Nets got off to a quick start, led by Mirza Teletovic, who scored 14 points in the first half, as the Nets got out to a 55-43 lead over the Pistons. The Nets offense was clicking early, and they used stretch to force he Pistons defense's bigs to try and contest out of the paint.

In the second half the Pistons put up no real threat. The Nets built up a 20-point lead. The Nets were efficient and effective, moving the ball with ease. It was all about the 3-point shooting for the Nets.Then, whenever Detroit made a move, Shaun Livingston played the role of sparkplug, continually thwarting Pistons runs with leaners, short jumpers and dunks.

Nets won their 15th straight at home, easily, beating the Pistons 116-104 and scored 100+ plus points for the 14th straight game, home or away.

Teletovic, Livingston and Marcus Thornton --three players who Jason Kidd gave opportunities-- led the Nets. Livingston finished with 23 on 11-of-14 shooting, Teletovic hit six three's on his way to 20 points and Thornton had 15.  Paul Pierce and Andray Blatche pitched in with 17 and 14.

There were milestones aplenty for Livingston and Teletovic. Livingston has four games of 20+ points this season (74 games). He had only five games of 20+ points in his 390 career games entering this season. Teletovic is the only player in the NBA this season to make six-plus three-pointers off the bench three times. He's had six games of five-plus three-pointers off the bench, more than any other Nets' player has ever recorded.

Teletovic modestly explained his success.

"A lot of times I’ve been with Joe, and with D-Will, and with the guys who can score, and (the opponents) have to leave somebody open," Teletovic said after the game. "Most of the time, they think it should be me. So I get wide open shots."

The Pistons, who once trailed by 22, cut the deficit to nine at one point in the fourth quarter, led by Andre Drummond, who scored 23 and pulled down 18 boards. But Brooklyn was too balanced, putting six players scored in double figures.

For more on the Pistons, see: Detroit Bad Boys

• Pistons at Nets - Boxscore - NBA.com
• Nets' home winning streak hits 15 with 116-104 win over Pistons - AP
• Game Thread: Brooklyn Nets vs. Detroit Pistons, 7:30 PM - NetsDaily
  
• Livingston Slam (Video) - NBA.com
• Show and Go (Video) - NBA.com
• Drummond Alley-oop (Video) - NBA.com
• Williams Dunk (Video) - NBA.com
• Livingston Alley-oop (Video) - NBA.com
• Pistons Lack Size Against Nets (Video) - ESPN
• Nets Use Deep Ball To Sink Pistons (Video) - ESPN
  
• GIF: Andray Blatche Goes Behind-The-Blatche - The Brooklyn Game
• Rapid Reaction: Nets 116, Pistons 104 - Mike Mazzeo - ESPN New York
• Brooklyn Nets could have Kevin Garnett back in Philly - Mike Mazzeo - ESPN New York
• Notes: Nets' shooting stars at Barclays - Mike Mazzeo - ESPN New York
  
• Nets get into good offensive groove and easily beat Pistons - John Jeansonne - Newsday
• Shaun Livingston helps Nets breeze by Pistons, win 15th straight home game - Stefan Bondy - New York Daily News
• Nets top Pistons, run home win streak to 15 - Tim Bontemps - New York Post
  
• Signed Jason Collins jerseys up for special auction - Tim Bontemps - New York Post
• Nets stay hot at home with 116-104 win over Pistons - Andy Vasquez - The Record
• Nets notes: A return for Kevin Garnett? - Andy Vasquez - The Record
  
• Nets Players Wary of Rest Before Playoffs Begin - Alex Raskin - Wall Street Journal
  
• 15 Straight At Home: Nets 116, Pistons 104 (GAME GRADES) - Devin Kharpertian - The Brooklyn Game
• Kidd: Kevin Garnett may return Saturday vs. 76ers, may come off the bench - Devin Kharpertian - The Brooklyn Game
• Basketball Gods Give the Nets a Great Schedule Down the Stretch - Lenn Robbins - Brooklyn Nets
  
• Nets put away Pistons with ease - VIncent Goodwill - Detroit News
• Pistons' Peyton Siva gets more minutes as season winds down - VIncent Goodwill - Detroit News
• Brooklyn 116, Detroit 104: Nets drop 15 treys in routing Pistons (Video) - Vince Ellis - Detroit Free Press