OKC Thunder close gap on bottom 3: Tank wars Episode 4

Detroit Pistons (20-47)

Of the tanking teams, the Detroit Pistons are arguably the most confusing. There are games where the Pistons are extremely competitive and look nothing like a tanking team. To wit, their last two wins occurred versus the Hawks and Grizzlies

Then there are games against the lowest-ranked teams where the Pistons easily are defeated. This weekend they’ll face the East’s top-ranked 76ers as well as the Chicago Bulls and it won’t be surprising if their better performance occurs against Philly.

Detroit is one of the teams with only five games remaining. The Thunder and Pistons have each played 67 games with the Pistons having that one extra loss.

For the Thunder to finish with one of those coveted bottom three berths they need to catch either the Pistons or Wolves and ensure they hold off the Magic and Cavaliers. Detroit has one additional loss than the Thunder.  so there is still an opportunity for the Thunder to finish with more losses or to tie the Pistons.

Week 21 for the Pistons features three matches versus the Wolves, Nuggets, and Heat. With the Wolves also one of the teams in the bottom three it makes for an interesting situation as one of them will have to win which could pay dividends for the Thunder.