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Staff Predictions: Will the Detroit Pistons make the playoffs?

By Ku Khahil

AUBURN HILLS, MI - MARCH 24: Blake Griffin #23 of the Detroit Pistons and Reggie Jackson #1 of the Detroit Pistons high-five before the game against the Chicago Bulls on March 24, 2018 at Little Caesars Arena in Auburn Hills, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images)
AUBURN HILLS, MI - MARCH 24: Blake Griffin #23 of the Detroit Pistons and Reggie Jackson #1 of the Detroit Pistons high-five before the game against the Chicago Bulls on March 24, 2018 at Little Caesars Arena in Auburn Hills, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The Detroit Pistons find themselves currently sitting at eighth seed. The PistonPowered staff makes their predictions on the playoffs for the Pistons.

The Detroit Pistons are currently the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference; 1.5 games ahead of the Miami Heat and .5 games behind the seventh seeded Charlotte Hornets.

Related Story. Drummond, Casey key to playoff push. light

With a few months left in the season and the All Star break behind us, my colleagues and I at PistonPowered are going to make our predictions on how this playoff race will plan out.

*These predictions were sent in before the Detroit Pistons win against the Atlanta Hawks*

Ku Khahil

The Detroit Pistons are in control of their own destiny. They don’t need to look for other teams to lose in order to make the playoffs, which is what you want when fighting for a playoff spot.

Also, their schedule is getting much easier while the teams around them in the race gets a bit harder (a la Brooklyn Nets).

Along with their schedule simply getting easier, the Pistons seems to be hitting their stride at the perfect time. The Big Three of Blake Griffin, Andre Drummond, and Reggie Jackson are playing the best ball they’ve played all season.

Griffin continues to be amazing and Drummond is being used more as a rim runner in the offense, which of course unleashes him as a monster. But, Jackson’s play is what’s unlocking the Pistons ceiling. Since mid-January, Jackson has been playing fantastic basketball and looks much more healthier than he did to start the season.

Jackson getting healthy and looking more like the R-Jax we’ve come to know is enough for me to predict the Detroit Pistons will be playing at least four extra games after the regular season.

Enoc Carranco

I really think the Pistons will make the Playoffs because of several things:
-Blake, Andre and Reggie have been locked in lately.
-We have a good experienced Coach.
-The supporting cast is just coming together and they are good.
-The teams fighting with them for a playoff spot have a much more difficult schedule.

Nathan Umali

The improved play from Reggie Jackson and increased dominance from Andre Drummond will be the force behind the Pistons making the playoffs as a 7 or 8 seed.

The new guys in Wayne Ellington, Thon Maker and Svi Mykhailiuk will shore up the poor bench play, and the relative ease of schedule will help propel Detroit into a first round date with either Giannis Atetokounpo or Kawhi Leornard.

Wouldn’t hurt to have a guy like Stanley Johnson right about now.

Kevin Moore

My answer: Yes

The Pistons have 26 games left in the regular season and each game is crucial.  13 of those games are against teams who are currently in the playoff picture.

Blake Griffin will continue to dominate on the court, that’s a given.  Wayne Ellington will come into his own and help the Pistons shooting off the bench and look for Andre Drummond to improve on his game.

The eighth seed looks real promising if the Pistons can remain consistent this last half of the season.

Benjamin Lanza

Yes.

While it won’t be easy, the Pistons should be able to sneak into the playoffs this year. The reason? Strength of Schedule. Brooklyn, Miami, and Charlotte all have a top-seven or higher SOS, while the Pistons have the sixth easiest schedule remaining (via http://www.tankathon.com/remaining_schedule_strength).

Dwane Casey has seemingly improved this offense enough to stay competitive in the majority of games and to stop losing games to lowly opponents. Barring a reversal of the new offense or an unprecedented run from the aforementioned teams, there will be playoff basketball back in Detroit.

Ari Eizen

With stars like Blake Griffin and Andre Drummond and a weak bottom half of the eastern conference, I think the Pistons will definitely make the playoffs.

The Nets won’t keep up the way they’re playing, the Hornets are only a half game ahead in the race, and the Pistons have a pretty easy schedule the rest of the way. My prediction is the Pistons will end up being the 7th seed in the east.

dark. Next. Way too early playoff outlook

Will the Detroit Pistons make the playoffs? Comment your prediction down below!

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