Rod Beard

The Detroit News

Chicago — While the Pistons didn’t have their best performance of the season, they did get their biggest win of the year.

And there’s a big difference.

With their 94-90 win over the Chicago Bulls on Saturday night at the United Center, the Pistons created a cushion of 2.5 games over the Bulls and whittled their magic number for clinching a playoff spot to three. They also gained the tiebreaker, with a 3-1 advantage in the head-to-head season series.

The Pistons (41-36) control their own destiny, but coach Stan Van Gundy isn’t taking a playoff bid for granted, until they actually get there.

“You like being ahead but until we’re in, I’m not the least bit comfortable, the way this season’s gone,” Van Gundy said. “There’s nothing easy and we’ve still got to get more wins. I’m happy with that win — it would have been a lot harder with the loss, a real uphill battle with the loss.

“I’m happy but by (Sunday) I won’t be the least bit comfortable; I’ll be grumpy again.”

With five games remaining — at Miami, at Orlando, home versus Washington, home versus Miami and at Cleveland in the finale — the Pistons will face four teams vying for the postseason but the win over Chicago gave them some needed breathing room.

The Pistons have a combined 8-4 record against their remaining opponents, with three of the losses coming to the Wizards.

“Up to this point — hopefully there’s bigger ones to come — for four of our starters, that’s the biggest win and most meaningful win of their NBA careers, for all of our starters except Reggie (Jackson) but we have bigger things to do,” Van Gundy said. “We’re not there yet.”

Pistons defeat Bulls, magic number is three

As the season winds down, the Pistons still have plenty more work to do, but they’ve assured at least a .500 record and have the potential to end their six-year streak of missing the playoffs.

News: Andre Drummond went 1-for-10 from the free-throw line in Saturday’s win and sat on the bench for the final 5:22 of the game.

Views: Drummond has had stretches of improved shooting at the line, but Van Gundy was forced to use Aron Baynes because the game was too important to try and gamble.

“He was 1-for-10 and he made the decision easy tonight. In a close game like that, back and forth, we can’t be playing hoping for one point — at most — when they’re playing for two or three,” Van Gundy said. “You can’t do that; you’re putting way too much pressure on your defense.”

Drummond groused on the bench in the final minutes, but Van Gundy made the right call. The Bulls were fouling Drummond intentionally and even he would have to admit that it was in the team’s best interest.

This season has been a big step forward for Drummond, but free throws will be a major focus again in the offseason, when he could also sign a long-term, max contract. At 22, he still has plenty of room for growth but this playoff push will be a big lesson in how much more his game can evolve.

News: While Reggie Jackson has been in a shooting slump, forwards Marcus Morris and Tobias Harris have elevated their games.

Views: Although Jackson had 22 points, he shot 6-for-17 from the field, but his early aggressiveness helped set the tone. Morris and Harris combined for 37 points but they’re showing their versatility on both ends. Morris hounded the Bulls’ Jimmy Butler almost the entire game and Harris guarded Pau Gasol at times.

Those two additions this season have been huge for the Pistons, who certainly upgraded over last year’s tandem of Caron Butler and Greg Monroe. They combined for 45 points (Morris had a season-high 31) against the Mavericks on Friday and 41 against the Thunder on Tuesday.

Morris’ versatility on both ends of the court is starting to show, where he can create his own shot in isolation sets or work in the pick-and-roll.

Beard: Daring Jackson needs to take next step now

“I’m behind coach 100 percent, whatever position he puts me in, I’m going to try to make the best of it,” Morris said. “If I’m on the pick-and-roll, I’ll continue to make the right plays to help the team win.”

Morris has been hot from the 3-point line as well, shooting 62.7 percent (32-of-51) from beyond the arc over the last 12 games.

Harris has averaged 16.5 points, 6.1 rebounds and 2.7 assists in 23 games with the Pistons since the trade from Orlando. His defense still is improving, but moving Morris and Harris around is posing fits for opposing teams.

rod.beard@detroitnews.com

Twitter: @detnewsRodBeard

Stretch run

Schedules for the teams in a fight for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference:

7 INDIANA (41-36)

Home (three) — Cleveland (Wednesday), Brooklyn (Sunday), New York (April 12). Away (two) — Toronto (Friday), Milwaukee (April 13)

8 DETROIT (41-36)

Home (two) — Washington (Friday), Miami (April 12). Away (three) — Miami (Tuesday), Orlando (Wednesday), Cleveland (April 13)

9 CHICAGO (39-38)

Home (two) — Cleveland (Saturday), Philadelphia (April 13). Away (three) — Memphis (Tuesday), Miami (Thursday), New Orleans (April 11)

10 WASHINGTON (37-40)

Home (three) — Brooklyn (Wednesday), Charlotte (Sunday), Atlanta (April 13). Away (two) — Detroit (Friday), Brooklyn (April 11)