The Pistons' magic number is their own business

With six games left in the regular season, the Detroit Pistons’ magic number to clinch the Eastern Conference is down to just two games. 

It’s a position they have no business being in given the number of injuries they’ve had recently, which is a testament to what this team is all about, as they don’t feel sorry for themselves and the next guy steps up. They've been doing it all season and just keep rolling no matter who is out there.

After Boston’s win last night, Detroit has just a four-game lead and can’t count on the Celtics to lose any more, which makes that magic number one they will have to deal with themselves. 

Boston Celtics remaining schedule 

The Celtics could easily run the table to close the season, so the Pistons can’t count on any gift losses from Boston to help them close out the East. 

The Celtics travel to Milwaukee to face the freefalling Bucks, then come home for the Raptors and Hornets before traveling to New York for a big one against the Knicks that could have huge playoff ramifications depending on how things work out. 

Boston closes out the season with home games against the Pelicans and Magic, so other than that game against the Knicks, they will be heavily favored in all of them. 

Luckily, the Pistons control their own destiny and can take care of business without any help from the Celtics. 

Detroit Pistons remaining schedule 

The Pistons would love to clinch the 1st seed as soon as possible, so they don’t have to play their starters down to the wire in every game, but it’s not an easy road in front of them. 

After tonight’s home game against Minnesota, in which Anthony Edwards might return, the Pistons will travel to Philly and Orlando to face two teams that could have a lot at stake in the playoff seeding themselves. 

Philly is back to healthy-ish, so isn’t the same team Detroit has beaten three times already this season. 

Detroit will then come home against the Bucks, before heading on the road to close the season against the Hornets and Pacers. 

The Hornets are still fighting for position, and the Pacers will be dangerous as the tanking team whose players might make this their championship. 

Detroit would love to wrap things up before those two road games, so they really need to win two of their next four. 

The Pistons are in a great spot in that they don’t need help from anyone else, and if they keep up their recent play, should be able to reduce that magic number to zero soon.