Pistons clinch 1st winning season in 8 years
It took eight years and five different coaches, but the Detroit Pistons have assured themselves that they'll win more games than they'll lose this season.
The Pistons knocked off the Orlando Magic 108-104 on Wednesday, securing a winning season for the first time since the 2007-08.
"It's just another step, head coach Stan Van Gundy said. "It's important"
Detroit's to-do list is far from finished, however. The win dwindled its magic number to reach the playoffs to one, but a win by the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday keeps the Pistons a half-game back of seventh with three games to go.
| Pos | Team | Record | GB | GR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | Pacers | 42-36 | -- | 4 |
| 8 | Pistons | 42-37 | 0.5 | 3 |
| 9 | Bulls | 39-39 | 2.5 | 4 |
Finishing eighth will likely mean a first-round matchup with the Cleveland Cavaliers, while finishing seventh would likely see the Pistons face the Toronto Raptors.
From 2001-2009, the Pistons reached the postseason in eight straight years, winning the NBA Finals in 2003-04 and losing in the finals the following year.