The Pistons are in. And not just in. They are first.
Detroit became the first team in the Eastern Conference to clinch a playoff berth with Friday’s win over the Warriors. The Pistons improved to 51-19 and now sit four games ahead of Boston for the top spot in the East.
They did it short-handed, too. Cade Cunningham remains out with a collapsed lung. Isaiah Stewart was sidelined with a calf strain. Did not matter.
Jalen Duren led the way with 23 points in just 21 minutes. Daniss Jenkins filled it up with 22 points, eight assists and seven rebounds. Ausar Thompson added a career-high seven steals. It was one of those nights where everything looked connected.
That word came up afterward.
“They’ve been a joy to coach,” coach J.B. Bickerstaff said, via The Athletic’s Hunter Patterson. “They’ve been one of the most connected teams I’ve ever been a part of.”
It shows. This is not the same Pistons team from two years ago. That group won 14 games. This one is chasing 60.
Detroit jumped to 44 wins last season and grabbed the sixth seed. Now it is eyeing the No. 1 spot and home-court advantage throughout the East.
Nothing is locked in yet. The schedule ahead is not exactly light. But the Pistons have already taken care of the important part.
They are going to the playoffs. And the way they are playing, they may not be done making statements anytime soon.
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