Nets 116, Pistons 104

BROOKLYN — Guard Shaun Livingston scored nine of his 23 points in the fourth quarter and the Brooklyn Nets extended their franchise record home winning streak to 15 games with a 116-104 victory over the Detroit Pistons on Friday night at Barclays Center.

Reserve forward Mirza Teletovic added 20 points for the Nets, who shot 60.5 percent (46-of-76) and made 15-of-31 3-pointers. Forward Paul Pierce chipped in 17 points for Brooklyn, which has not lost a home game since Jan. 31 against Oklahoma City.

Forward Andre Drummond had his 51st double-double with 23 points and 18 rebounds but it was not enough as the Pistons lost for the 16th time in their last 17 road games. Forward Josh Smith added 17 points but forward Brandon Jennings and guard Greg Monroe were a combined 6-of-22 from the field.

The Nets improved to 30-14 in their last 44 games since starting the season with 21 losses in their first 31 games. They also avoided getting swept by the Pistons in the season series after enduring three double-digit losses to them earlier this season.

Livingston finished 11-of-14 from the field, setting a career high for baskets and coming within two of his career high set April 9, 2010, at Boston. Detroit was within 96-87 with seven minutes remaining but Livingston converted a dunk and hit four mid-range jumpers to ensure that the Nets were not threatened again.

Teletovic also played a key role in ensuring that the Nets would keep their home winning streak alive and beat the Pistons. He took advantage of the opportunity created by Pierce’s foul trouble and was 7-of-9, including 6-of-8 from 3-point range in 19 minutes.

Teletovic reached 20 points for the fourth time this season and first time at home since getting 20 against the Philadelphia 76ers on Feb. 3. Since that game, Teletovic had shot 36.4 percent (35-of-96) from the field at home.

Teletovic made his first five shots as the Nets raced out to a 48-30 lead midway through the second quarter. At that point the Nets were in the midst of hitting seven straight 3-pointers, which helped them take a 51-31 lead before settling for a 58-45 halftime lead.

Teletovic checked in with 4:56 remaining when Pierce picked up his fourth foul and the Nets holding a 75-61 lead. On his first defensive possession, he stole the ball from Greg Monroe and hit an open 3-pointer for a 78-61 edge that grew to 91-69 entering the fourth.

NOTES: While C Kevin Garnett missed his 19th straight game, Nets coach Jason Kidd said he was ecstatic after the morning shootaround about the progress made by Garnett in recovering from back spasms that have prevented him from playing since Feb. 27 in Denver. The Nets are targeting a return for Garnett on Tuesday in Miami or Wednesday in Orlando. … Brooklyn F Andrei Kirilenko returned after missing six games with an ankle injury. … ESPN recently released their front-office rankings and Detroit president of basketball operations Joe Dumars finished last with a score of 2.95 based on input from more than 210 ESPN NBA contributors. … Detroit G Will Bynum sat out with a sore foot. His absence created more minutes for rookie G Peyton Siva, whom Pistons coach John Loyer said looks more comfortable now than earlier in the season.