By Dave Hart
LocalSportsJournal.com
Clippers 105, Pistons 103 (OT) – The Los Angeles Clippers overcame a second-half meltdown, beating the Pistons in overtime on Monday night.
The Pistons took their first lead of the night during the fourth quarter, but lost it and were forced into overtime, where the Clippers outscored Detroit 11-9.
Reggie Jackson led the Pistons with 34 points and had 11 rebounds and seven assists. Andre Drummond added 20 points and 15 rebounds, while Kentavious Caldwell-Pope chipped in with 19 points.
The Pistons are now 14-12 on the season, good for fourth place in the Central Division.
Detroit will host the Boston Celtics on Wednesday night.
Record: 14-12
4th Place in Central Division (3 games behind Cleveland)
Tied for 8th Place in Eastern Conference (3 games behind Cleveland)
Tied with Atlanta and Orlando for the last playoff spot
Magic # to clinch a playoff berth: 58
Magic # to clinch Central Division title: 62
Magic # to clinch Eastern Conference title: 62
Next Game: 12/16/2015 vs. Boston Celtics 7:30 p.m. @ Palace of Auburn Hills
Stats: Reggie Jackson 34 points 11 rebounds 7 assists, Andre Drummond 20 points 15 rebounds, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope 19 points, Aron Baynes 10 points.
Sabres 2, Red Wings 1 – The Buffalo Sabres handed the Red Wings their first regulation loss in 13 games with a victory on Monday night.
The Sabres erased a 1-0 deficit with a pair of goals in the last five minutes of regulation.
Brad Richards scored the lone goal for Detroit. Pavel Datsyuk and Darren Helm assisted on the tally.
Detroit goaltender Petr Mrazek took the loss, stopping 28 of 30 shots.
The Red Wings are now 16-9-6 on the season, good for 38 points and second place in the Atlantic Division.
Detroit will host the Vancouver Canucks on Friday night.
Record: 16-9-6 38 pts
2nd Place in Atlantic Division (5 pts behind Montreal)
5th Place in Eastern Conference (6 pts behind Washington)
5 pts ahead of Pittsburgh for the last playoff spot
Magic # to clinch 25th straight playoff berth: 101 pts
Magic # to clinch Atlantic Division title: 108 pts
Magic # to clinch Eastern Conference: 113 pts
Next Game: 12/18/2015 vs. Vancouver Canucks 7:30 p.m. @ Joe Louis Arena
Stats: Goals- Brad Richards (2) Assists- Pavel Datsyuk (6), Darren Helm (5). Goaltender- Petr Mrazek L (9-5-3) 28 saves on 30 shots.
