Bucks clinch final playoff spot in East with Pistons' loss

The Milwaukee Bucks are headed back to the postseason - and they didn't even have to lift a finger Wednesday night, thanks in part to the efforts of J.J. Redick and Ben Simmons.

With the Detroit Pistons falling 115-108 to the Philadelphia 76ers, the Pistons have been mathematically eliminated from playoff contention, allowing the Bucks to clinch the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

This marks the Bucks' second straight playoff berth, and the first time the franchise has reached the postseason in back-to-back years since 2003 and 2004.

On the flip side, the Pistons have failed to make the postseason for the second straight year - and for the eighth time in nine seasons - despite the franchise-altering midseason addition of Blake Griffin.

Depending on the performances of the Miami Heat and Washington Wizards over the final stretch of the regular season, the Bucks can still finish as high as sixth in the East.

If the playoffs started today, Milwaukee would once again face the Toronto Raptors in the first round. Giannis Antetokounmpo and Co. went up 2-1 against the higher-seeded Raptors last spring before ultimately falling 4-2. This year, the Raptors won the season series against the Bucks 2-1.