No NBA playoff team from the 2018/19 season came closer to missing the postseason than the 41-41 Pistons, who finished just two games ahead of the Hornets and Heat (39-41).
Now, with the 2019/20 NBA season fast approaching, no team has closer to even odds to make the playoffs next spring than the Pistons, according to BetOnline.ag. The betting site gives Detroit -155 odds to miss the postseason and +135 odds to make it. That means that if you bet $100 on the Pistons to be a playoff team and they come through, you’d win $135 — if you think they’re a lottery team, you’d have to risk $155 to win $100.
Based on the rest of the Eastern teams’ playoff odds at BetOnline.ag, it’s easy to understand the bookmakers’ logic. The Bucks, Raptors, Sixers, Celtics, Pacers, Nets, and Magic – all of whom made the postseason a year ago – are viewed as favorites to finish ahead of the Pistons again in 2019/20. Meanwhile, the Heat are considered the most likely club to join that group of seven, leapfrogging the Pistons in the projected standings after adding star swingman Jimmy Butler.
Unlike Miami, the Pistons didn’t make any splashy free agent or trade acquisitions this summer. Sure, they signed a former MVP, but at this point Derrick Rose is a solid role player, not a difference-making star. Detroit’s list of modest additions also included forwards Markieff Morris, Tony Snell, and rookie Sekou Doumbouya, along with veteran point guard Tim Frazier.
Now that Andre Drummond, Blake Griffin, and Reggie Jackson have a full year together under their belts, perhaps they’ll reach new heights in 2019/20, but it might be too optimistic to count on all three players to suit up for 75+ games again, especially given Griffin’s and Jackson’s injury histories.
Still, there are reasons to be bullish on the Pistons. Head coach Dwane Casey is a proven winner – at least in the regular season – and rotation players like Luke Kennard, Bruce Brown, and Thon Maker are still young enough to take major steps forward. Drummond will be motivated to have a huge contract year, and Jackson finally looks fully healthy. With some good injury luck, the Pistons should have no problem staying in the playoff hunt.
What do you think? Are the Pistons a playoff team in 2019/20? Will last year’s seven postseason representatives and the Heat make the playoffs in the East, or is there another dark horse contender you like ahead of Detroit?
Vote in our poll, then head to the comment section below to share your two cents!
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In the offseason I’ve seen lots of footage of Andre Drummond and Blake Griffin stretching their game out to the 3 point line. With a reliable backup to reggie in DRose who may even end up starting, this team could surprise a lot of people.
Bucks, Celtics, Sixers, Pacers are probably the top 4. The Nets and Raptors will probably get the next two spots. If they do make the playoffs it’ll be as a 7 or 8 seed unless they make a big in season trade. I’d take the Hawks and the Pistons in the last two spots right now over the Heat and Magic.
Rose obviously isn’t a star, but he can be more than a rp if healthy and given the opportunity.
Top 5 are easy:
1. Milwaukee
2. Philadelphia
3. Boston
4. Indiana
5. Toronto
After that I would go with:
6. Detroit
7. Miami
8. Orlando or Atlanta
Nets?
I like your list, but Brooklyn will be better than Atlanta for sure. Also, I gotta think Orlando has a better season than Detroit because they’re more talented.
But it’s good up top for sure.
Bucks, Sixers, Celtics, Nets, Heat, Pistons top 6 in order.
Magic, Pacers & Raptors battle for the last 2 spots. The Pacers guards will not get along and they will miss Young & Bogdanovich. Several Raptors take the year off in general. The Magic waste time with teasers.
Butler is a big upgrade over JRich and Waiters is back. Pistons have upgraded the perimeter just with turnover.
There’s no way the Nets will be the fourth best team in the East. Unless someone important gets hurt in Indiana or Toronto, both those teams will be ahead of Brooklyn.
Toronto was like 15-5 or something last season when Leonard was out, and Indiana always plays hard. Brooklyn is under a lot of pressure and their best player is out for the season.
I forgot to say that this is intended to be a friendly disagreement. I generally agree with your comments here. :)
Last year I underrated Indiana and overrated Detroit and I guess I’m not giving up! I was just a year too early is all.
I think none of the teams after the first three will keep up. If anything the WC has pulled farther ahead, with maybe 9 of the top 12 teams.