With their win in Toronto on Friday, the Pistons have formally clinched a top-six spot within the Japanese Convention, securing their first playoff berth for the reason that 2018-19 season (X hyperlink).
It’s the newest achievement in what has been a exceptional turnaround for the Pistons, who posted the worst report within the NBA — and the worst mark in franchise historical past — a yr in the past once they went 14-68. Detroit has greater than tripled that win complete this season, sitting at 43-34 with 5 video games nonetheless to play.
The Pistons’ bounce-back season has been pushed by an All-NBA caliber efficiency from former No. 1 general choose Cade Cunningham, although he wasn’t in motion in Friday’s playoff clincher, having missed his sixth consecutive sport as a result of a left calf contusion.
As an alternative, it was rising third-year heart Jalen Duren (21 factors, 18 rebounds, six assists, 4 blocks), Sixth Man of the 12 months contender Malik Beasley (21 factors), and veteran position participant Tim Hardaway Jr. (23 factors) who performed key roles within the 117-105 win over the Raptors.
Veteran ahead Tobias Harris and second-year wing Ausar Thompson are among the many different most vital contributors in Detroit, together with veteran guard Dennis Schröder, who has taken on a task much like the one Jaden Ivey performed earlier than breaking his leg in January.
Whereas the Pistons have now secured their spot within the postseason, their actual seed within the Japanese Convention continues to be to be decided.
Friday’s victory strikes them a half-game forward of the 42-34 Bucks for the No. 5 spot, which might doubtless line them up for a first-round date with the No. 4 Pacers. Sliding to No. 6 would in all probability end in a matchup with the Knicks in spherical one, although neither New York nor Indiana is formally locked into its seed but.
