Detroit Pistons Game #81 | ||
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40-40 (12-28 away) | 39-41 (21-19 home) | |
Palace of Auburn Hills | ||
April 13th, 2009 7:30 PM ET | ||
TV: FSN-DET, NBATV Radio: 1130 WDFN | ||
Probable starters: | ||
D. Rose | PG | Rodney Stuckey |
B. Gordon | SG | Richard Hamilton |
J. Salmons | SF | Tayshaun Prince |
T. Thomas | PF | Antonio McDyess |
J. Noah | C | Rasheed Wallace |
The Chicago Bulls take a four-game winning streak to Detroit for a game that has major playoff-seed implications. It's pretty simple. With a win, the Pistons stay in contention for a No. 7, or even a No. 6 spot. A loss sentences them to a series with the Cleveland Cavs. Given Cleveland's 39-1 home record, I think I'd rather take the former.
The Pistons' Tayshaun Prince doesn't see playing the Cavs as a worst-case scenario though:
There is no worst-case scenario for us right now. The way we’ve played all year, the best-case scenario is that we got into the playoffs. Hopefully, we can go in there and do some damage.
I don’t think about the eighth seed as a situation we can’t handle. Any situation would have been tough, the way we’ve been playing and all the ups and downs we’ve gone through this season.
I said at the end of the Pacers recap that if we're going to be that dangerous underdog team during the playoffs, the No. 8 or No. 7 seed makes the role much more intriguing. Can you imagine the hype that would surround a playoff series victory over Cleveland/Lebron or the defending champs?
With that being said, the best chances of a playoff series victory between those two options rests in the No. 7 hole against the Boston Celtics. Cleveland is playing at the top of their game with one of the best players ever and they are undefeated at home this season against Eastern Conference foes. Boston meanwhile may be banged up and are waltzing into the playoffs with that "we won it last year" arrogance that could ultimately get them in trouble, especially against a team like Detroit. Remember also, Boston had to go seven games in the first round against the No. 8 seed Atlanta last year.
Now, the No. 6 spot is not all lost since Philadelphia lost today to Toronto and play Cleveland and Boston to finish their season. If Philly does lose out, and the Pistons win tonight and Wednesday against Dwayne Wade and the Miami Heat, they would get the No. 6 spot and play Orlando. That would bode well for the Pistons since they have owned the Magic recently.
No matter what, and since the Pistons don't seem to care who they play, the Pistons should keep playing hard and attempt to go into the playoffs on some kind of roll. If they continue to play the way they have the past three games, then they should be good and ready.
As you can see above, tip is set for 7:30 PM EST. Let's try to have a decent showing in the game thread here tonight. I should be logged in around 7:15 PM to stretch my wrists and crack the phalanges.
Poll
What seed will the Pistons have in this year's playoffs?
This poll is closed
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87%
No. 8
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6%
No. 7
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6%
No. 6