Detroit Pistons: playoff chances and predictions

Every pick is stored before tip-off and graded after the final, so you can check how we've done on Pistons games. How accurate →

Will the Detroit Pistons make the playoffs? Our model says est. 99% as of Oct 9, with a title chance of est. 2%.

Making the playoffs = a top-6 seed in the East or a spot through the play-in. Preseason draft · the projection on record is locked Mon Oct 19.

power ranking of 30

+3.4

strength per 100 possessions

est. wins (range 44–55)

est. 2%

title chance

Team strength

Our model rates the Pistons 3.4 points per 100 possessions better than an average team, #6 of 30. Strength comes from the current roster's lineup ratings, minutes-weighted. 59 wins last season.

Who drives it	Min	Rating
Ausar Thompson	21	+6.3
Cade Cunningham	27	+4.2
Jalen Duren	22	+3.4
Kevin Huerter	18	+4.2
Elijah Harkless	17	+3.2

Chances this season

From 5,000 simulated seasons. Estimates, not promises; nobody is "in" or "out" until it's mathematically settled.

Make the playoffs	est. 99%
Play-in (7th to 10th)	est. 5%
No. 1 seed in the East	est. 5%
Win the East	est. 12%
Win the title	est. 2%

All 30 teams on the Season page →

Next game

Next: Boston Celtics at Detroit Pistons, Tue, Oct 20, 3:00 PM ET.

Preseason: picks start Oct 20. Our pick posts before tip-off.

Every Pistons pick, graded

Preseason: picks start Oct 20; every one gets graded in public. Every graded pick →

Quick answers

Will the Detroit Pistons make the playoffs?

Our model gives them est. 99% as of Oct 9 (a top-6 seed or a spot through the play-in), with a title chance of est. 2%. It's a projection from the data and it changes as the season goes.

When do the Pistons play next?

Boston Celtics at Detroit Pistons, Tue, Oct 20. Our pick posts before tip-off (preseason: picks start oct 20).

How accurate are niftiIQ's Pistons predictions?

Every pick is stored before tip-off and graded after the final, in public. Picks start Oct 20.

How this works

Team strength comes from each roster's lineup ratings; the rest of the schedule is simulated 5,000 times for the season chances. Game picks come from a model that retrains before every run, and every pick is stored before tip-off and graded after the final. How it works · All 30 teams · NBA FAQ