Pistons can clinch No. 1 seed with one more loss by rival
The Detroit Pistons can secure the top overall seed in the East if the Bucks can take care of business against the Celtics on Friday night.
Detroit — The start of the NBA playoffs is 16 days away, and the road to the NBA Finals in the Eastern Conference likely will have to go through the Motor City. One of the most significant implications for the playoffs will take place Friday night inside Fiserv Forum. If the Milwaukee Bucks can pick up a victory against the Boston Celtics, the victory would officially grant the Detroit Pistons the top overall seed in the Eastern Conference for the postseason.
Securing the No. 1 seed for the playoffs would be one of the Pistons' biggest accomplishments this season. They have held the top spot in the conference since mid-November.
More: Ausar Thompson excels as defensive 'focal point' as Pistons close in on No. 1 seed However, after Cade Cunningham suffered a collapsed lung on March 15, many believed the Pistons would struggle without their star guard. Despite Cunningham's absence, the Pistons have performed well, going 7-2 and demonstrating that their success is not dependent on a single player.
The Pistons are 56-21, marking their best record since the 2007-08 campaign. "If you can play systematic basketball on both ends of the floor, you can have some success when guys are missing or when guys have to sub in, because everybody knows their role, they know their responsibility," coach J. B.