Chauncey Billups scored 22 points, and the Pistons moved to the verge of clinching the top seed in the Eastern Conference by beating the Knicks 91-83 Monday night for their 50th victory.

Richard Hamilton added 19 points, including a pair of baskets in a late spurt that let the lethargic Pistons pull out the win. Detroit, which beat Cleveland on Sunday, was tied with the short-handed Knicks with under 3 minutes to play.

The Pistons lowered their magic number to one for clinching the home-court advantage throughout the East playoffs. They have won 50 games in a franchise-record six straight seasons, one more than a stretch from 1986-91 when they were led by current Knicks coach Isiah Thomas.