Detroit Pistons putting it together at the wrong time
By Travis Gibbs
The Detroit Pistons are currently four and a half games out of the final playoff spot. They basically need to win their final five games.
The Detroit Pistons have now won four games in a row. They beat the New York Knicks 115-109 on the road in their last game. The Pistons are now 36-40 on the season. They’re the last team outside of the current playoff seeding that hasn’t been eliminated from contention.
The Miami Heat (41-36) are four and a half games ahead of the Pistons for the last playoff spot in the eastern conference.
One more win by the Heat will guarantee them a playoff spot. The Milwaukee Bucks (41-35) are the other team that hasn’t clinched a playoff berth. They are five games ahead of the Pistons.
So basically, the Detroit Pistons need a lot to go in their favor in order to get in. A lot that probably won’t happen.
They have six games left to go. Four of them are against teams with losing records. The Bucks have three of their remaining six games against teams with losing records.
The Heat three games against teams with losing records in their final five. They will likely clinch their playoff spot in their next game at home against the Atlanta Hawks.
As a fan, it is nice to see the Pistons putting together some wins. They should get another scratch in the win column tonight.
They play the Brooklyn Nets at the Barclays Center. Tip-off is at 6:00 p.m. The Nets are 25-51 on the season. They kept the Heat from clinching a playoff spot in their last game.
The Pistons will be without Blake Griffin again tonight. He’s been dealing with a bone bruise on his right ankle.
One thing to watch for in this game is Reggie Jackson as he gets back into rhythm. He scored 17 points and had five assists in 25 minutes in their last game. He’s been the missing piece all season and this team has played much better since his return to the lineup.
Andre Drummond is another reason this team has been playing at a high level. He’s averaging 18 points and 19 rebounds in their last five games.
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The Detroit Pistons can be a playoff team next season. That would have to mean that the main contributors have to stay healthy. It just isn’t in the cards this season.