*Update: The Detroit Pistons' magic number is down to one after Atlanta lost last night.
The Detroit Pistons have already tripled their win total from last season, secured a winning record and set the season mark for most opposing fans clutching their pearls about the way they play.
Seriously, some of these NBA fans need to take up a less physical sport, as I saw things like “Isaiah Stewart should be suspended for the season!” which is beyond laughable considering the overblown incident against Minnesota was just a bunch of pushing and shoving.
Equally annoying are the fans who act like what Stewart did was some noble deed, an act of valor to “DEFEND HIS TEAMMATE!” as if they are in Band of Brothers or something.
It’s all corny.
Words were said, people were shoved, move on and play ball. Some of these pearl clutchers and chest pounders wouldn’t have lasted 10 games back in the day.
Rant disengaged.
Even after Sunday’s unfortunate loss, the Pistons are still in the 5th seed with a 1.5 game lead over the Bucks, though Detroit has the tougher schedule of the two teams.
Fans have talked a lot about which team Detroit should want in the first round, and in my humble opinion, it doesn’t really matter, as all three of the Bucks, Pacers and Knicks present matchup advantages and disadvantages for Detroit.
But if they are lucky enough to make it out of the first round without getting their entire roster suspended for fighting the state of Indiana, there is one team they want to avoid.
Detroit Pistons’ magic number and why the 5 seed is important
The Pistons’ magic number is down to one, so any combination of a Detroit win and/or Hawks loss will put them closer to clinching at least the 6th seed and a guaranteed spot in the playoffs.
But Detroit should definitely want more, even though a potential first-round matchup against the Pacers isn’t ideal, for the Pistons or for my blood pressure.
The Pacers are healthy and playing well, so there are some who believe the Pistons might be better off slipping to the 6th seed to avoid them and take on the Knicks, who are dealing with a hobbled Jalen Brunson.
Be careful what you wish for. Firstly, the Knicks are very good and have plenty of depth even without Brunson. OG Anunoby has been playing out of his mind and KAT presents matchup problems for Duren.
Secondly, even if the Pistons were to beat the Knicks, that would set up a second-round matchup against the Boston Celtics, who have won nine straight and are looking an awful lot like the defending champions that they are.
Boston is the one team in the Eastern Conference that I am certain the Pistons can’t beat, so claiming the 4th or 5th seed would ensure the Pistons wouldn’t see them until the East Finals if both teams were to advance.
The Pistons are going to have an uphill battle vs. whoever they end up playing but with a recent shorthanded win over Cleveland, their confidence against the Cavs would be a lot higher than against Boston, who is playing well at the right time.
The Pistons have to get there first and will have a chance to see that number go down tonight when the Hawks take on the Trail Blazers.