The Detroit Pistons magic number is one to officially secure their NBA playoff berth.
The Pistons (42-34) are one win away from clinching their first playoff spot in six years, completing a historic season. They are double-digit favorites visiting the Toronto Raptors (28-49) on Friday night. The Raptors are playing the second night of a back-to-back after losing at home to Portland.
No team has ever tripled their win total from one season to the next. The Pistons have done it this season.
Sure, it's easier to do when you win a franchise-record low 14 games the season.
Still, the Pistons' win total over/under entering 2024-25 was around 27½.
The Pistons have blown past even the most optimistic predictions of a play-in tournament berth (Nos. 7-10 seed). Certainly the horrendous Eastern Conference from Nos. 7-15 has helped: Only the top-six teams hold a winning record.
But the Pistons have earned this opportunity, holding a top-three defense since Jan. 1 and 28-16 record. That's despite losing starting guard Jaden Ivey to a broken fibula on New Year's Day. Their plus-6.1 net rating in 2025 is
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