Pistons magic number down to 2 with 6 regular-season games left
DETROIT, MICHIGAN – MARCH 26: Ronald Holland II #5 high fives Jalen Duren #0 of the Detroit Pistons during the second quarter against the New Orleans Pelicans at Little Caesars Arena on March 26, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images) (Nic Antaya, 2026 Nic Antaya)
DETROIT – The Detroit Pistons have clinched their first division title in nearly two decades, but they have much more important business to take care of.
With six games left on their regular-season schedules, the Pistons own a four-game lead over the Boston Celtics for the top seed in the East.
The Pistons won three of four meetings against the Celtics this season, which means if both teams finish with the same record, the Pistons get the better seed.
So how can the Pistons lock up the top seed in the conference and home court advantage through the first three rounds of the playoffs?
All they have to do is win two more games. Or Boston can lose twice. Or the Pistons can win once and the Celtics can lose once.
Any combination of Pistons wins and Celtics losses that adds up to two will do the trick, thanks to the tiebreaker.
Nobody else in the East can catch Detroit.
Copyright 2026 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit – All rights reserved.
About the AuthorDerick Hutchinson headshotDerick Hutchinson
Derick is the Digital Executive Producer for ClickOnDetroit and has been with Local 4 News since April 2013. Derick specializes in breaking news, crime and local sports.
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