Apr 02, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Pistons forward Ronald Holland II (5) dribbles defended by Minnesota Timberwolves center Naz Reid (11) in the first half at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

Why Detroit Pistons Are Pulling For Milwaukee Bucks Against Boston Celtics

Originally posted on Detroit Pistons on SI
By Caden Handwork | Last updated Apr 3, 2026 3:39 PM ET

With Thursday night’s thrilling 113-108 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Detroit Pistons are on the cusp of clinching the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference for the first time since the 2006-07 season.

While a Pistons road win over the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday night would clinch the No. 1 seed for Detroit, they could secure the top spot in the Eastern Conference even before tip-off at Xfinity Mobile Arena.

How Milwaukee Bucks Can Help Pistons Clinch No. 1 Seed

Benny Sieu-Imagn Images

A Boston Celtics loss to the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday night would clinch the No. 1 seed for the Pistons. While the Bucks have struggled all season, currently holding a 30-46 overall record and having been eliminated from playoff contention, Pistons fans will be pulling for the Bucks on Friday night in hopes of clinching the No. 1 seed a day early.

With five games remaining on their regular season schedule, the Pistons are 4.5 games ahead of the Boston Celtics for the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference. The Pistons would essentially need to lose out, and the Celtics win their remaining games for Detroit not to earn the No. 1 seed.

Given the team’s recent success without their star, Cade Cunningham, Pistons fans should have nothing to be concerned about heading into the last five games of the regular season. Since Cunningham’s collapsed lung diagnosis, the Pistons have only lost two games, both of which came in overtime against the Oklahoma City Thunder and Atlanta Hawks.

In addition to Saturday night's matchup against the Philadelphia 76ers, the Pistons have three other remaining road games against the Orlando Magic, Charlotte Hornets, and Indiana Pacers. The Pistons also have one remaining home matchup at Little Caesars Arena against the Milwaukee Bucks on April 8.

Pistons Matchup Against 76ers

Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

For now, however, the Pistons' focus is on the 76ers, as they look to not only potentially wrap up the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference but also secure the regular-season sweep of Philadelphia. The Pistons are 3-0 against the 76ers this season.

Pistons guard Daniss Jenkins looks to build on what has been a phenomenal 10-game stretch. Since being inserted in the starting lineup, following Cunningham’s diagnosis, Jenkins has scored in double figures in every game but one.

In the win against the Timberwolves, Jenkins scored 26 points, eight assists, and five rebounds, on 9-of-19 shooting from the field for the Pistons. The tip-off on Saturday night between the Pistons and 76ers is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET at Xfinity Mobile Arena with the game broadcast on NBATV.

This article first appeared on Detroit Pistons on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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