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Current Strength of Schedule is Positive for Detroit Pistons

The Detroit Pistons are in a good spot to close out the regular season.
Justin Grasso|
Feb 3, 2025; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) dribbles defended by Atlanta Hawks forward Onyeka Okongwu (17) in the first half at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
Feb 3, 2025; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) dribbles defended by Atlanta Hawks forward Onyeka Okongwu (17) in the first half at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images | Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

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Detroit Pistons

Coming out of the NBA All-Star break, the Detroit Pistons can’t get too ahead of themselves. While they are in a great position, sitting in sixth place in the Eastern Conference with a 29-26 record, there are enough games left to see a major shift in the standings.

Fortunately, the Pistons are in a good spot when it comes to their strength of schedule for the remaining 27 games. According to Tankathon, the Pistons’ strength of schedule ranks 18th in the league.

The toughest opponents left include the Cleveland Cavaliers, Boston Celtics, New York Knicks, Memphis Grizzlies, Denver Nuggets, and the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Pistons play each of those teams one more time, except for the Thunder, who haven’t seen just yet.

via @detnewsRodBeard: #Pistons (29-26) have the 18th-ranked (of 30) strength of schedule in their remaining 27 games. If they go 14-13 the rest of the way, they'd finish 43-39 and possibly be in the playoffs.

The Pistons put themselves in a great spot at the break. Not only are they in the postseason picture, but they are ahead of the Play-In situation. If the season ended today, the Pistons would draw a first-round matchup against the Knicks.

Just last season, the Pistons were at the bottom of the Eastern Conference with a 14-68 record. Even if they failed to capitalize on their favorable strength of schedule to close out the year, the Pistons can view their 2024-2025 campaign as a major success.

At this point, Detroit has made it clear that making the playoffs is their top priority. The goals have officially shifted, and getting playoff experience for the young core led by Cade Cunningham would be a great opportunity this season.

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Justin Grasso
JUSTIN GRASSO

Justin Grasso was a credentialed writer and publisher covering the Philadelphia 76ers for Sports Illustrated’s 76ers On SI Network. Grasso got his start in sports media in 2016 with FantasyPros, working the news desk, providing game-by-game player analysis and updates on the Portland Trail Blazers and the Golden State Warriors. By 2017, he joined FanSided’s Philadelphia Eagles site as a staff writer. After spending one season covering the Eagles as a staff writer, Grasso was promoted to become the site’s Co-Editor. For the next two NFL seasons, he covered the Eagles closely before broadening his NFL coverage. For a brief stint, Grasso covered the NFL on a national basis after joining Heavy.com as an NFL news desk writer. In 2019, Grasso joined the 76ers' beat on a part-time basis, stepping into a role with South Jersey’s 97.3 ESPN. Ahead of the 2019-2020 NBA season, he concluded a three-year stint covering the Eagles and joined the Sixers beat full-time. Grasso has covered the 76ers exclusively since then for Sports Illustrated. He is a member of the Pro Basketball Writers Association. Twitter: @JGrasso_ Instagram: @JGrassoMedia

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