NBA Wire Notes | Pistons put young 'uns in control

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — The Detroit Pistons knew they were going to have a talented young bench this season.

Now, with the playoffs fast approaching, they are starting to understand just how good the group has become.

Sunday, facing a Toronto team trying to lock up the Eastern Conference's sixth seed, the Pistons pulled away for a 91-84 win even though all five starters were resting comfortably on the bench.

"Our bench was great again," coach Flip Saunders said. "Not just offensively, but with the energy they bring defensively. They get how we want to play against teams."

Detroit finished the game with its Zoo Squad — Jarvis Hayes, Amir Johnson, Jason Maxiell and rookies Arron Afflalo and Rodney Stuckey. The group averages 22.8 years of age, but the youngsters have proven their worth in back-to-back wins over Washington and Toronto.

"They would definitely be a playoff team," veteran Chauncey Billups said. "Look what they are doing with 20-something minutes a night, and imagine what they could do with 34 or 35. They've beaten playoff teams the last two games — teams that are playing hard and have their starters in late."

Stuckey, who played at Kentwood High School and Eastern Washington, led Detroit with 18 points. Maxiell and Billups each had 14.

None of the Detroit starters played more than 25 minutes.

Notes

• San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich said he's not sure whether leading scorer Manu Ginobili (strained left groin) will be available for the final two regular-season games.

"We're better off to be a lower seed with a healthy Manu than a higher seed without a healthy Manu," Popovich said.

• Cleveland will face Washington in the first round of the playoffs for the third straight year, whether they finish fourth or fifth. The teams have been on a collision course for weeks, and their rivalry has been fueled by some recent trash talk. In a blog last week, Washington's Gilbert Arenas said, "I think everybody wants Cleveland in that first round." Earlier, Wizards F DeShawn Stevenson called the Cavaliers' LeBron James "overrated." James was asked if the comment added to the rivalry. "Absolutely," he said. "That's the last thing I'm going to say about that."