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Detroit Pistons have to defeat the Orlando Magic Thursday

By Ku Khahil

ORLANDO, FL - DECEMBER 30: Reggie Bullock #25 of the Detroit Pistons drives to the basket during the game against Nikola Vucevic #9 of the Orlando Magic during the game on December 30, 2018 at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. 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 Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL - DECEMBER 30: Reggie Bullock #25 of the Detroit Pistons drives to the basket during the game against Nikola Vucevic #9 of the Orlando Magic during the game on December 30, 2018 at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. 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 Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The Detroit Pistons are currently the sixth seed, due to tiebreaker rules with the Brooklyn Nets. But, the Orlando Magic are coming and coming fast.

The Detroit Pistons at one point recently looked like a lock for the playoffs.

A loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers and a squandered opportunity in Portland later, fans are now starting to sweat a little bit.

Related Story. Rough schedule could sting Pistons. light

The Pistons are now only 1.5 games ahead of the ninth seeded Orlando Magic, who are coming on strong recently. The Magic 6-4 in their last 10 games, and have won 5 straight that includes a most recent win over the Philadelphia 76ers.

Fortunately (or unfortunately?) for the Pistons, the Magics next two games are against the teams ahead of them in the playoff race: the Dwyane Wade led Miami Heat, and the Detroit Pistons. The next two games could all but push the Magic out of the race…

Or it could leap frog them into the playoffs, and officially have the Pistons worried about their playoff fate.

The Detroit Pistons have to take on the Denver Nuggets tonight in Denver, where they are 30-6 at home and have done a great job taking advantage of playing in the Mile High city. The Nuggets are also fighting the Golden State Warriors for the top seed in the west.

In other words, this game is going to be an extremely hard game for the Pistons to win.

While the Pistons are playing in Denver, the Magic will be finishing up their game in Miami. If the Magic beat the Heat tonight and the Pistons lose, the Magic will be only .5 games behind the Pistons.

That possibility makes Thursdays game against the Magic in Detroit an absolute must win for the Pistons. With a win over the Magic there, the Pistons will move back to at least 1.5 games ahead of them in the playoff race.

The Detroit Pistons need to turn up their sense of urgency, because it’s getting real too close for comfort. On Friday, pending the results of the Magic game on Thursday, the Pistons could be on the outside looking in.

The Detroit Pistons MUST win Thursday.

Key to Pistons playoff fate is defense. dark. Next

They have to.

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