Pistons try to extend home winning streak to six

The Boston Celtics are clinging to the Eastern Conference's final playoff spot with one week to go.

However, a tough stretch run could make it difficult to get in.

Boston tries to snap a six-game road skid against the Detroit Pistons, who are looking to extend their home winning streak to six for the first time in more than seven years Wednesday (6:30 p.m. pregame, 7 tip-off on FOX Sports Detroit).

The Celtics (35-42) have climbed back into eighth place by winning three of four, including Saturday's thrilling 117-116 overtime victory at Toronto. Isaiah Thomas scored 25 points off the bench and rookie Marcus Smart finished with 15 after beating the buzzer in OT.

Boston's four consecutive road victories are its most since a six-game run Nov. 22-Dec. 15, 2010. The Celtics are trying to hold off Indiana, Miami and Charlotte for the last postseason spot.

"We need these games. When you've got a goal you're trying to reach like that, it kind of forces you to band together. That's what we've been doing in this locker room," Smart told the team's official website. "The guys on this team, we're competitors, heavy competitors."

While the Celtics control their own destiny, their remaining schedule isn't going to do them any favors. They play a home-and-home series against Central Division-leading Cleveland on Friday and Sunday before a back-to-back set against Atlantic champion Toronto and Milwaukee next Tuesday and Wednesday.

Boston has split two home matchups with the Pistons (30-47) this season, with both going to overtime. The Celtics are 3-8 in their last 11 in the series, and they had averaged 84.2 points in the first five losses in Detroit before a 115-111 defeat last April 5.

The Pistons have won five straight and 15 of 23 at home after opening 2-13 there. They haven't taken six in a row at The Palace of Auburn Hills since a seven-game run March 14-April 4, 2008.

Detroit was limited to an average of 80.0 points on a winless two-game trip before storming back to beat the Heat 99-98 on Saturday. Reggie Jackson made the winning layup with five seconds left as the Pistons closed the game on a 14-2 run.

"My staff was saying it was the best win of the year," said coach Stan Van Gundy, whose team trailed by 15 with seven minutes to go. "Our guys kept fighting. There are a lot of things you can criticize us for, but through everything that has gone on this year, this group has continued to fight."

Jackson scored 15 of his 29 points in the fourth quarter. He's averaged 23.2 points, 11.5 assists and 54.0 percent shooting in the last six home games.

"Reggie really stepped up," Van Gundy said. "We had a talk about him wanting to have the opportunity to be `the guy.' Well, `the guy' can't be tired. I thought he ... was not the least bit afraid to take the game on his shoulders."

Jackson has averaged 21.5 points in a four-game stretch against Boston. He had 17, nine rebounds and 11 assists in a 105-97 victory March 22.

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope scored 27 points in that game while Andre Drummond added 18 and 22 rebounds. Drummond has averaged 18.5 and 17.7 in his last six in the series.