Detroit Pistons (34-32) (8th seed) (4 and a half games ahead of Magic)
The Detroit Pistons are a young, talented squad out looking to make a name for themselves. In short, they are what the Magic could have been this season.
The Pistons roared out to a brilliant start, floundered and then found their footing again. Acquiring Tobias Harris did not hurt.
Behind Reggie Jackson‘s development and the continual growing dominance of Andre Drummond, mixed with a young hungry bench, the Pistons are playing well at the right time.
They are two games above .500 and are 7-3 in their last 10.
What’s against them
The Pistons may be in eighth right now, but they sit just one game ahead of the veteran Bulls. Their youth could still trip them up here, and they have been known to crumble in games they have been winning.
They must also play many teams looking for an eighth seed.
While the Pistons may be more talented, it could come down to who wants it more.
What’s going for them
The Pistons have the most favorable schedule out of the teams listed here with just five away games remaining. They do play the Atlanta Hawks twice, but will not see the Cleveland Cavaliers or Miami Heat until the last week of the season, while most of their remaining games are against non-playoff teams.
The Pistons also have the brilliant Stan Van Gundy at the helm, giving them an instant edge. Their young players could even look up to the seventh seed, and should be hungry enough to stay in if they can fend off the Chicago Bulls.
Can the Magic pass them?
Orlando and Detroit play twice more before season’s end. This could have a huge impact if the Pistons were just a bit closer. The 4.5-game deficit is not impossible but extremely difficult to make up, but there really is not any wiggle room for the Magic anymore.
The two have only met once this season, with Detroit taking Orlando apart. It is an outside bet, but the Pistons could trip at the wrong time, opening the door for someone else to steal their spot.
Next: Can the Magic get to the eighth seed