With nine games left to play, the Detroit Pistons’ magic number is down to three when it comes to a guaranteed playoff spot.
They’ve already long clinched a spot in the postseason, but the Pistons certainly want to avoid the play-in tournament, which they should, as Atlanta is now a full six games behind them in the 7th seed.
Where it goes from there is anyone’s guess, as the Eastern Conference is shaping up for a wild finish with the 3-6 seeds bunched up and within striking distance of each other.
As of this moment, the Pistons would play the Pacers in the first round, but the standings are likely to shift several times before this season is over. There is still a good chance the Pistons will play the Knicks or the Bucks, and all three possible playoff opponents have at least one matchup nightmare for the Pistons.
Indiana Pacers: Myles Turner
You know at least one player is hoping for that Pistons/Pacers first-round matchup and his name is Myles Turner, who has gotten fat on Detroit this season.
Turner is averaging 20.3 points, 7.8 rebounds in 2.5 assists in four games against the Pistons this season while shooting an insane 57.1 percent from 3-point range and blocking nearly two shots per game.
Turner is the type of center Jalen Duren struggles against, as he doesn’t play much in the paint offensively and loves getting trailer 3-point looks from above the break, an area Duren has been poor at defending.
The Pistons will face a stretch five regardless of which team they face in the first round, so we may see more of Isaiah Stewart, who is better at defending in space.
New York Knicks: Jalen Brunson
The Pistons have also had difficulty with small, quick guards, including Jalen Brunson, who has torched Detroit for 32.7 points, 8.7 assists and three rebounds per game this season while shooting 55 percent from the floor and 45.5 percent from long range.
The Pistons would likely avoid putting Cade Cunningham on Brunson, as it exposes him to foul trouble, so if these two teams do play each other, Brunson is likely to get a steady diet of Ausar Thompson and Ron Holland II.
Defending Brunson without fouling is key, as he has averaged seven free throw attempts per game against Detroit this season.
Milwaukee Bucks: Giannis Antetokounmpo
Milwaukee became more vulnerable to a first-round defeat after losing Damian Lillard for the season, an unfortunate injury that will deny fans the chance to see him in the playoffs.
But they still have Giannis, which is bad news for the Pistons, as he has owned them for his entire career.
The Pistons are just 11-32 all time against Giannis, including two losses this season, and they haven’t beaten the Bucks since 2022.
Giannis is a matchup problem for everyone, but the Pistons are particularly ill-equipped to handle him, as they have just Tobias Harris at power forward, and someone also has to follow Brook Lopez to the 3-point line.
So, the Pistons either use Duren on Giannis, which opens him up to early foul trouble or play him with a smaller guy, which Giannis would love.
Nothing has worked so far this season, as Giannis is averaging an insane 43.5 points, 10.5 rebounds and 7.5 assists against the Pistons this while shooting nearly 70 percent from the floor and averaging over 14 free-throw attempts per game. Those are Wilt Chamberlain numbers. Yikes.
The Pistons still have work to do and can’t worry about who they will play yet, as they have to get there first, but each team has a problematic matchup for Detroit.