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Pistons edge playoff-bound Sixers

Apr 14, 2011 - 3:42 AM Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) - Rodney Stuckey equaled a season-best with 29 points and drained the go-ahead jumper with under two minutes remaining, as Detroit closed out its year with a 104-100 win over the playoff-bound Philadelphia 76ers.

Greg Monroe chipped in 10 points and 13 rebounds for the Pistons (30-52), who missed the postseason for a second consecutive year. Tayshaun Prince tallied 14 points in the win, Detroit's fourth in five games to conclude the season.

"I know we've won four of the last five and guys played hard," Pistons coach John Kuester said. "I'm proud of them. It's pretty neat when you can say you won your last game and all. That's important. I just wish we were in the playoffs."

Jrue Holiday scored 21 to go with seven assists for the Sixers, who are seeded seventh in the Eastern Conference and will open the playoffs in Miami on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. (et). The Heat, with their big three of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, claimed the Southeast Division title and swept the Sixers in three games this season.

Philadelphia captured its third playoff berth in four years under first-year head coach Doug Collins, but lost five of its final six games. The Sixers (41-41) also lost a chance to secure their first season above .500 since going 43-39 in 2004-05. The team did by improve by 14 wins over last season, however.

The Sixers didn't play the final two games with Andre Iguodala (right knee tendinitis), and Lou Williams continues to be sidelined with a strained right hamstring.

"Those injuries put a damper on what we did this year," Collins said.

Holiday had 12 of his points in the final quarter, a period in which the Sixers rallied from a nine-point deficit. Evan Turner's jumper with 5:09 left tied the game at 95, and then Holiday's bucket gave the Sixers the lead. That capped a 16-5 run, but the Pistons had an answer.

Ben Gordon hit a step-back jump shot with 3:17 to go, and after a Spencer Hawes offensive foul, Stuckey made the go-ahead shot from the left baseline with 1:49 remaining.

The Pistons were fortunate after misses by Turner and Hawes. Austin Daye then drove the lane and his floater over Hawes provided a 101-97 cushion with 31.1 seconds left.

The Sixers eventually closed within 102-100 on a Holiday three-pointer with under 12 seconds left, but Stuckey made a foul shot. Jason Kapono then missed a potential tying three-ball from the right corner, and Monroe's free throw with 0.4 seconds left sealed the outcome.

The Pistons shot 61 percent in the first quarter to hold a 29-24 lead, but the Sixers came back in the second courtesy of Thaddeus Young's 11 points to grab a 56-52 edge at the break.

Despite trailing at the half, the Pistons committed four personal fouls in the first 24 minutes, tying a record at the Wells Fargo Center for any half.

The Sixers tanked in the third, going 5-of-21 from the field to trail 83-77 going to the fourth.

Game Notes

Pistons forward Charlie Villanueva was suspended five games without pay for initiating an on-court altercation with Cleveland Cavaliers center Ryan Hollins. The incident occurred with 5:47 remaining in the fourth quarter of the Pistons' 110-101 loss to the Cavaliers at The Palace of Auburn Hills on Monday. The remaining games of the suspension will be served during the first four 2011-12 regular season games in which he is physically able to play...Detroit won the season series, 2-1. The Sixers haven't won a season series against the Pistons since 2000-01. Detroit has won eight of its last 11 contests in south Philly...Andres Nocioni and Turner each scored 18 for the Sixers.