With a 109-102 victory over the Suns, the Pistons have clinched homecourt advantage in the Eastern Conference Playoffs.

"This is the third of our five steps, but this one might be the most important of the first four, because of the 2-2-1-1-1 format in the conference finals," Detroit coach Flip Saunders said.

The first two goals were to make the playoffs and win the division, and the last two are to clinch the best record in the league and win a second title in three years.