NEW YORK _ If the Detroit Pistons are serious about a playoff push _ trade acquisition or not _ they must handle weak opponents during one of the easiest schedules to finish the season.
They took care of business Tuesday night.
Blake Griffin scored 20 of 29 points in the first half and his 3-pointer with 4:45 remaining finished the New York Knicks in the Pistons' 105-92 victory at Madison Square Garden.
The Pistons (24-29) have won four of seven to move to within one game of the Miami Heat for the Eastern Conference's eighth and final playoff spot in their last game for Thursday's NBA trade deadline.
Newly acquired Knicks point guard Dennis Smith scored 25 points, but was slowed by forward Stanley Johnson in the fourth quarter.
The Knicks (10-43) are the worst team in the NBA and have lost 27 of 30 games.
Reggie Jackson had an off shooting night, but finished with 19 points after going 7-for-7 from the line. He added seven assists.
Andre Drummond scored 17 points, grabbed 16 rebounds and had five blocked shots.
Reggie Bullock scored 19 points on 5-for-10 3-point shooting.
The Pistons held the Knicks to 40 percent shooting.
After missing 25 games with a right adductor issue, backup point guard Ish Smith was given the night off for maintenance.
That meant it was time for Jose Calderon to assume backup minutes.
He entered the game for Jackson at the 4:37 mark of the first quarter and the Pistons leading 26-17.
The Pistons briefly pushed the lead to 34-22 on a Griffin 3-pointer, but the Knicks surged.
By the time Jackson returned, the Knicks had trimmed the deficit to one at 43-42 with 8:07 remaining in the second quarter.
Calderon did score four points in over eight minutes in the first half.
The Pistons took a 63-54 lead at the half.
