DETROIT >> Cade Cunningham had 36 points and eight assists, lifting the Detroit Pistons to a 115-106 win over the New York Knicks on Thursday night in a possible preview of a first-round matchup in the NBA playoffs.

New York was without starters O.G. Anunoby (thumb) and Josh Hart (knee) due to injuries and failed to clinch the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference.

All-Star guard Jalen Brunson briefly left the game late in the third quarter after rolling his left ankle but returned to finish with 15 points, missing 10 of 15 shots.

Jalen Duren had 18 points and 13 rebounds, making all nine shots. Tobias Harris scored 17 points and rookie Ron Holland had 13.

New York’s Karl-Anthony Towns scored 25 points and grabbed 10 rebounds. Precious Achiuwa took advantage of opportunities on a short-handed team and scored 18 points.

Pacers 114, Cavaliers 112 >> Tyrese Haliburton scored eight of his 23 points during a key scoring run in the fourth quarter and Aaron Nesmith added 22 points to help Indiana rally past short-handed Cleveland.

Indiana won its sixth straight and secured a top-four seed and home-court advantage in a playoff series for the first time since 2014.

Cleveland’s Ty Jerome finished with 24 points and six assists despite being held out of the fourth quarter.

Coach Kenny Atkinson rested four of his five starters because the Cavs had already clinched the No. 1 seed in the East.

Hawks 133, Nets 109 >> Zaccharie Risacher scored a season-high 38 points as Atlanta routed Brooklyn.

Bucks 136, Pelicans 111 >> Giannis Antetokounmpo had 28 points and 11 rebounds as Milwaukee extended its winning streak to six games with a victory over New Orleans.

Milwaukee moves on to an important two-game, regular-season ending series against the Detroit Pistons on Friday and Sunday.