With Pistons One Win From Playoffs, Knicks' Smith Jr. Says: "We Want To Keep They Ass Out"

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Photo credit © Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

The Pistons can clinch their first playoff berth since 2016 with a win Wednesday night in New York against the last-place Knicks.

And the Knicks would love to play spoiler. 

"We just want to keep they ass out," Dennis Smith Jr. told MSG Network after his team's win Tuesday night. "We ain't really got too much to play for other than pride right now, so we don’t want to lay down.

"If we can ruin someone else’s season, we’ll do it." 

The Pistons nearly fell victim to a severely undermanned Grizzles team Tuesday night, falling behind by 22 points in the first half. They outscored Memphis 36-14 in the fourth quarter to possibly save their season. 

Their work isn't done. 

If the ninth-place Hornets win again Wednesday night against the Magic, the Pistons must hold serve. Otherwise, Charlotte will jump them. 

Smith Jr., who was traded to the Knicks in February, is coming off a 25-point performance Tuesday night versus the Bulls. The Pistons could be in danger if he has more of that in store. 

Blake Griffin, who scored just five points in 18 minutes against Memphis due to his injured knee, is questionable for Wednesday night.