Chaotic playoff picture could benefit the Pistons

The Detroit Pistons have already clinched the number one seed in the Eastern Conference, but that’s about the only thing that is certain in the East. 

The Celtics are close to a lock for the #2 seed and need just one more win or Knicks’ loss to clinch it, but beyond that, the East is going to go down to the wire, which should give the Pistons an advantage. 

It’s a war from the three seed down in the Eastern Conference 

Things start to get interesting in the East starting with the three seed, as the Knicks have just a one game lead over the Cavaliers. 

Teams aren’t going to say this out loud, but I do wonder if the Knicks would rather potentially face the Pistons in the second round rather than the Celtics, which is what is at stake here. 

If there aren’t any upsets in the first round, the Pistons would currently play the Cavaliers in round 2 and the Knicks would have a bloodbath against the Celtics. If Cade Cunningham were going to be out, I wouldn’t be shocked if the Knicks were secretly hoping to get the Pistons, but they should also be careful what they wish for considering Detroit has throttled them this year and done it shorthanded. 

The Celtics and Knicks still have to play each other one more time this season, and New York also has games against the Raptors and Hornets, so this one could get very interesting. 

Teams 5-10 are all in a battle to the finish in the East

It’s wild how little space there is between the five and 10 seeds in the East, as just 3.5 games separate the 5th place Hawks from the 10th place Heat. 

The Hornets,  Magic and 76ers are just a half game behind the slumping Raptors for the final guaranteed playoff spot and the Knicks are probably hoping none of them get it, as they are likely to play the 6th seed in the first round and all of these teams are more dangerous than the Raptors. 

The Pistons will already have the advantage of home court throughout the playoffs, but will also get the advantage of rest, as they can keep their starters from big minutes and rest the veterans who could use a few extra days to get their bodies right. 

Whoever they play in the first round is going to have to go all out for the full regular season, then win two games in the play-in tournament before heading to Detroit the next day, where the Pistons will be ready and waiting. 

Of course, we have seen this backfire, as teams 5-10 in the East have already started their playoffs, as every game from here on out is do or die, which can sharpen a team and get them ready for a first-round series. 

But the Pistons are fine with the rest and will hopefully even be able to get Cade Cunningham and Isaiah Stewart one game before the playoffs start. 

There is still a ton at stake in both conferences, so we are sure to get a chaotic finish that should benefit Detroit.