AUBURN HILLS, Mich. (AP)—The Detroit Pistons knew they were going to have a talented young bench this season.

Now, with the playoffs fast approaching, they are starting to understand just how good the group has become.

Facing a Toronto team trying to lock up the Eastern Conference’s sixth seed, the Pistons pulled away down the stretch for a 91-84 victory Sunday, even though all five starters were resting comfortably on the bench.

“Our bench was great again,” coach Flip Saunders said. “Not just offensively, but with the energy they bring defensively. They get how we want to play against teams.”

Detroit finished the game with its “Zoo Squad”- Jarvis Hayes, Amir Johnson, Jason Maxiell and rookies Arron Afflalo and Rodney Stuckey. The group averages just 22.8 years of age, but the youngsters have proven their worth in back-to-back wins over Washington and Toronto.

“They would definitely be a playoff team,” veteran Chauncey Billups said. “Look what they are doing with 20-something minutes a night, and imagine what they could do with 34 or 35. They’ve beaten playoff teams the last two games— teams that are playing hard and have their starters in late.”

 

Billups isn’t alone in his opinion.

“There aren’t many teams that can bring in a group like that,” said Chris Bosh, who had 30 points for the Raptors. “Those five guys could start for a lot of teams in this league.”

-AP