Ausar Thompson, a wing for the Detroit Pistons and one of the NBA’s top defenders, has expressed strong belief in his team’s chances this postseason.
Thompson stated that the team believes they can not only come out of the East but win the NBA championship. The Pistons are preparing to face the Orlando Magic at home.
Pistons Aim to End Playoff Drought
The Detroit Pistons are hosting the eighth-seeded Orlando Magic. This marks the first time since 2008 that Detroit has opened a postseason series at home.
That year was also the last time the Pistons advanced in the playoffs and won a playoff game in the Motor City. Detroit’s home postseason losing streak currently stands at 10 games, the longest in league history.
The drought dates back to a win over Boston in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference finals on May 26, 2008.
Magic Seek Playoff Advancement
The Orlando Magic earned their spot in the playoffs. They lost to Philadelphia before defeating Charlotte.
Magic coach Jamahl Mosley said his players made a commitment to keep playing basketball. Orlando are aiming to advance in the playoffs for the first time in a while.
The Magic have been eliminated in the first round in two straight years and six times since reaching the 2010 Eastern Conference finals.
Pistons’ Rebuild and Playoff Expectations
The Detroit Pistons have rebuilt their franchise in two years, recovering from a poor run to earn top seeding in the Eastern Conference playoffs.
The Pistons were in the playoffs last year for the first time since 2019. They ended a league-record, 15-game postseason losing streak before being eliminated by the New York Knicks in Game 6.
- Detroit drafted Cade Cunningham in 2021.
- Orlando selected Paolo Banchero in 2022.
- Detroit’s 10-game home postseason losing streak is the longest in league history.
Cunningham’s Impact
Cade Cunningham will likely make an All-NBA team for the second year. He won an appeal to be eligible after falling one game short of the league’s 65-game rule.
Cunningham has steadily improved defensively and can potentially defend any position. Detroit’s J.B. Bickerstaff said Cunningham is an all-around basketball player that can impact the game on both ends of the floor.
Oddsmakers are not expecting the Pistons to make a deep run, trailing Boston, Cleveland and New York as favourites to win the East.
The Pistons are behind six teams in the league projected to win the NBA championship.
Pistons power forward Isaiah Stewart said they have always been underdogs and are still hunting.
The series matches up No. 1 overall picks from two straight years.