The daily tank: Detroit Pistons 2020 NBA Draft odds on Feb. 9

The Detroit Pistons had a tank-worthy loss on Saturday and are making moves in the Tankathon standings. Here’s where things stand.

The Detroit Pistons had an epic tanking loss, leading with an 84-77 lead with 6:23 left before the Knicks went on a game-closing 18-8 run for a 95-92 win on Saturday. For the Pistons, it gets them another game back in the playoff race but another game improving in the Tankathon standings.

The Knicks (17-36) have won four straight games and have dropped to sixth in the standings, one game ahead of Detroit (19-36). Directly behind the Pistons is the Bulls (19-34), which are on a four-game losing streak.

The league’s longest losing streak — which reached 13 games — ended last night when the Minnesota Timberwolves set a franchise record for 3-point makes en route to a 142-115 win over the title-contending Clippers. The Wolves (16-35) are tied with the Knicks, a game ahead of the Pistons.

Saturday’s games also saw the Wizards win, keeping them in ninth — 1.5 games behind the Pistons.

Charlotte (16-36) is on a five-game losing streak and has risen to the fourth spots, which is only 2.5 games ahead of the Pistons.

The Daily Tank

After a brief hiatus, The Daily Tank is back.

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Detroit is back in the seventh spot, which gives them 32% odds to gain a top-4 pick and 7.5% odds for the No. 1 pick. Without further ado, let’s get to the simulations.

The simulator was kind to the Pistons Sunday. The average draft position was 5.6, including landing the top prize twice. They also landed the third and fourth picks with a low of ninth.

Both Tyrese Haliburton and Cole Anthony are going at fifth and sixth, respectively, in the latest Tankathon mock draft. Given the new-look Pistons with expirings abound, perhaps Onyeka Okongwu would be a frontcourt option as an athletic four/five.

The NBA’s seven-game Sunday slate features five teams in the lottery. The most impactful game is the Knicks visiting the Hawks (third in the Tankathon standings). It’s an opportunity for New York to win its fifth-straight game. Elsewhere the Bulls visit the Sixers, which is probably the next most impactful game for the Pistons. Memphis visits Washington and the Clippers visit Cleveland.