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Detroit Pistons: Lottery pick update

By Braden Shackelford

Mar 30, 2017; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons center Boban Marjanovic (tallest) stands with his team during the national anthem before the game against the Brooklyn Nets at The Palace of Auburn Hills. The Pistons won 90-89. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 30, 2017; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons center Boban Marjanovic (tallest) stands with his team during the national anthem before the game against the Brooklyn Nets at The Palace of Auburn Hills. The Pistons won 90-89. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Detroit Pistons won’t officially tank until they are statistically out of the playoff race. But with a 2-8 record in the last 10 games, it likely doesn’t matter. So where do the Pistons standing in the race for worst place?

The Detroit Pistons stink, but there is still one thing to root for with the playoffs almost statistically impossible–tanking!

With that in mind let’s take a look at the standings:

  1. Boston Celtics (Brooklyn Nets own pick) 18-59, 77 games
  2. Phoenix Suns 22-56, 77 games
  3. Los Angeles Lakers 22-55, 77 games
  4. Orlando Magic 27-50, 77 games,
  5. Philadelphia 76ers 28-49, 77 games
  6. New York Knicks 29-48, 77 games
  7. Sacramento Kings 30-47, 77 games,
  8.  Minnesota Timberwolves 31-45, 76 games
  9. Dallas Mavericks 32-44, 76 games
  10. Sacramento Kings (New Orleans Pelicans) 33-44, 77 games
  11. Detroit Pistons (35-42), 77 games

If the Pistons lost their last five games, they would finish with a record of 35-47. That means the best worst they can finish in terms of lottery position, is seventh place, and that’s assuming the Kings win out the rest of their games.

More realistically, the Pistons will finish in the 8-10 range. Finishing with the eigth worst record would give the Pistons a 9.9% chance of a top-three pick and a 1.1% chance at the number one overall.

For comparison, the Pistons currently have a 2.9% chance at a top-three and a .08% chance at the top pick.

Put it this way. The Pistons have a significantly stronger chance winning the lottery at pick number 14 than they do of making the playoffs.

Next: SVG wishes he shut down Jackson sooner

Kudos to those who are rooting for the Pistons to win. I’ll be in the same spot I’ve been for the last three weeks, that is, driving the tank bus.

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