Can The Detroit Pistons Avoid Lebron James in The First Round?

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The Race for 8th in the East:

The Detroit Pistons 2008-09 regular season has been eventful, with ups and downs that would make any reality show producer proud.

The Pistons, who are currently 34-36, have lost two games in a row, and seven out of their last ten games. They currently are only one game in front of the Chicago Bulls for the 8th spot in the East, and their remaining schedule is not favorable for them.

Detroit, who have been playing without Allen Iverson, Rasheed Wallace, and Richard Hamilton for most of this month, have 12 games remaining on their schedule, with 7 games being on the road.

I projected their remaining schedule, along with their chances of holding off the Bulls and keeping the 7th seed in the East.

(Projected Wins in Bold)

March:
3/26 - Lakers
3/28 - at Wizards
3/29 - Sixers
3/31 at Cavs

I don’t see Detroit beating Kobe or Lebron, and the debut of Gilbert Arenas in D.C Saturday will have the Verizon Center as electrified as it’s been all year.

The Wiz will treat the last 10 games of the season as their playoffs/preview to 2009, which ultimately could screw up their chances at winning the lottery. 1-3 to end March would put Detroit at 35-39 heading into April.

April:
4/1 at Nets
4/4 at Sixers
4/5 Bobcats
4/8 at Knicks
4/10 Nets
4/11 at Pacers
4/13 Bulls
4/15 at Heat

The Pistons, once their Big Three return (Iverson, Wallace, Hamilton), will get hot in April, and I have them winning five in a row, before dropping the final two games of the season, to Chicago and Miami.

That would put their final regular season record at 40-42. Chicago, which is 34-38 currently, would need to go 7-3 in their remaining 10 games to beat out Detroit hypothetically. Chicago’s projecting wins are below:

March:
3/26 - Heat
3/28 - Pacers
3/29 - at Raptors
3/31 - at Pacers

I give the Bulls 2-2 to end up March, which would put them at 36-40 heading into April.

April:
4/4 - Nets
4/7 - Knicks
4/9 - Sixers
4/11 - Bobcats
4/13 - Pistons
4/15 - Raptors

The Bulls could win every single game in the month of April, based on schedule alone. I doubt they will, which is why I have them tripping up against the Knicks.

That 5-1 mark would put the Bulls at 41-41, which would be just enough to pull ahead of the Pistons, and capture the 7th seed.

What do you think? Can the Pistons avoid a collapse to the 8th seed, and a potential first round battle with Lebron and the Cavs?