PISTONS WRAP UP CENTRAL DIVISION
Despite losing their most recent game, the Central Division belongs to the Detroit Pistons for another year. A home win over the Heat(82-73) added to a win in Indiana(75-72) has helped the NBA champions to a 55-14 record and a garunteed top three seeding in the Eastern Conference playoffs due to a solid team effort all season. As one of the top four seeds in the Conference, they are garunteed homecourt advantage in the first round of the playoffs and as the dominant side in the East, it'll probably only be a matter of time before they secure the top seed.
As things stand, the Eastern Conference playoffs first round picture looks like this: The Pistons(number 1) will face the Sixers(8). The Heat(2) will face the Bucks(7). The Nets(3) will face the Pacers(6) and the Cavs(4) will face the Wizards(5).
As far as the chasing pack are concerned, well the Charlotte Bobcats are out of the picture completely for this season. Recent losses in Cleveland(120-118 in overtime), Miami(114-93) and Memphis(102-95) have left them with a 19-52 record which means game over as far as the playoffs are concerned. However the Bulls look a lot healthier having picked up a home win over the Hornets(96-82) before Luol Deng led the scoring with 20 points in a 101-97 win in Boston. With the 8th placed Sixers having lost their last two games, the Eastern story isn't over yet.
The main headlines in the West are being made by the Phoenix Suns. Shawn Marion has led the side to wins at home to the Blazers(125-108) and the Nuggets(107-96), firstly nudging their record to 47-21 and secondly garanteeing themselves a Western Conference playoff spot.
Currently the Western Conference playoffs first round looks like this: The Spurs(1) will face the Kings(8). The Suns(2) will face the Lakers(7). The Nuggets(3) will face the Grizzlies(6) and the Mavs(4) will face the Clippers(5).
That picture looks pretty settled at the moment. The Hornets are in theory the best out of the chasing pack but are on a three game losing streak. The Warriors have recent wins in Dallas(122-121) and Sacremento(90-83) under their belt but are still outside the conference top 10. Portland are offically toast though, with an eight game losing streak leaving them with a 20-50 record.
Now the time for teams with nothing to start playing.
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