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Down 5.5 games in the standings with six games to go, the Pistons are toast. Hollinger's Playoff Odds have the team at 0.0 percent. It's not absolutely zero, but absolutely everything would have to go the Pistons way over the next 11 days for them to still make the playoffs.
Here's how the rest of the games stack up for the Pistons and the teams they're hopelessly chasing:
| Miami | Boston | Indiana | Brooklyn | Charlotte | Detroit | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Game 1 | @ Detroit | |||||
| Game 2 | @ Indiana | @Toronto | Miami | @Atlanta | Philadelphia | Miami |
| Game 3 | Charlotte | @ Detroit | @New York | Portland | @Miami | Boston |
| Game 4 | Chicago | @ Cleveland | @Detroit | Atlanta | Toronto | Indiana |
| Game 5 | Toronto | Cleveland | Oklahoma City | Washington | @ Atlanta | Charlotte |
| Game 6 | Orlando | Toronto | Washington | @ Milwaukee | @ Detroit | @Cleveland |
| Game 7 | @ Philadelphia | @ Milwaukee | @ Memphis | Chicago | Houston | @New York |
| Game 8 | @Toronto |
|
The following is what would have to happen:
Saturday, April 4:
76ers over Hornets
Hawks over Nets
Pistons over Heat (duh)
Raptors over Celtics
This would put the Pistons 4.5 back of the Heat.
Sunday, April 5:
Pacers over Heat (build up Indy before the fall)
This would put the Pistons 4 back of the Heat.
Monday, April 6:
Blazers over Nets
Tuesday, April 7:
Hornets over Heat
This would put the Pistons 3.5 back of the Heat.
Wednesday, April 8:
Pistons over Celtics (duh)
Raptors over Hornets
Hawks over Nets
Knicks over Pacers
Thursday, April 9:
Bulls over Heat
This would put the Pistons 2.5 back.
Friday, April 10:
Hawks over Hornets
Wizards over Nets
Cavs over Celtics
Pistons over Pacers (duh)
2 back.
Saturday, April 11:
Raptors over Heat
1.5 back.
Sunday, April 12:
Bucks over Nets
Cavs over Heat
Pistons over Hornets (duh)
Thunder over Pacers
Half a game back.
Monday, April 13:
Rockets over Hornets
Pistons over Cavs (duh)
Bulls over Nets
Magic over Heat
BOOM. Playoffs. Half a game up.
Tuesday, April 14:
Raptors over Celtics
Wizards over Pacers
Wednesday, April 15:
Pistons over Knicks (duh)
Raptors over Hornets
Bucks over Celtics
Magic over Nets
76ers over Heat
Grizzlies over Pacers
That 'o' could be next to their name on NBA.com as soon as Easter morning. I'll have plenty of chocolate ready for that.