The Eastern Conference standings are beginning to unfold exactly how the Detroit Pistons hoped they would, and it's only the latest example of how the dominoes are starting to fall in their favor.
Detroit hasn't exactly had luck on their side as of late, especially with the surplus of injuries head coach J.B. Bickerstaff has been tasked to battle over the last month or so.
With the return of Cade Cunningham and Isaiah Stewart, though, Detroit is finally starting to see some positive signs ahead of the postseason, and it couldn't be coming at a better time.
Pistons are setting up for the perfect postseason path
It's become abundantly clear that the challenges the No. 8 seed in today's NBA presents are drastically different than it used to be.
The Pistons will be challenged in round one, regardless of the opponent, but there are certainly easier challenges than others.
As of now, the NBA Play-In Tournament is shaping up for Detroit to take on one of the Philadelphia 76ers, Charlotte Hornets, or Miami Heat.
While the 76ers and Hornets may be viewed as a bit more of a test for the Pistons, the expectation remains that the Motor City squad should have enough to get past round one.
And that's where the cards are really beginning to unfold in the Pistons' favor.
Knicks in prime position to outlast Cleveland for No. 3 seed
There's no reason that Detroit can't outlast the New York Knicks in a playoff series, especially considering how far to their limits the Pistons pushed them last year.
However, the pathway to play the Knicks before the Eastern Conference Finals would be the least ideal of any scenario.
With New York's win against the Boston Celtics on Thursday night, the seeding in the East is beginning to inch closer to finalization, and if the current standings hold, Detroit would be tasked with a most likely matchup against the Cleveland Cavaliers in round two.
Cleveland obviously poses a real threat with the duo of James Harden and Donovan Mitchell, but of the preferred pathways for the Pistons, the opportunity to not face off against the Celtics or the Knicks until the Eastern Conference Finals would be the most ideal situation to keep the team's championship aspirations alive.
Detroit is set to enter the playoffs with health on their side, assuming there are no unexpected setbacks, and with their ideal postseason pathway shaping up, the Pistons are in a great spot with the regular season winding down.