NBA Playoff Race Update: The Detroit Pistons Are on Life Support

Eastern Conference - Sure Things

(1) Toronto Raptors (55-20, clinched)
(2) Boston Celtics (52-23, clinched)
(3) Cleveland Cavaliers (45-30, clinched)
(4) Philadelphia 76ers (44-30, clinched)
(5) Indiana Pacers (45-31, clinched)
(6) Washington Wizards (41-34, 100.0%)
(7) Miami Heat (41-35, 100.0%)
(8) Milwaukee Bucks (40-35, 99.6%)

The Cavaliers, 76ers, and Pacers all clinched playoff berths this week. For Cleveland and Indiana, it was business as usual, but this is the first postseason appearance for Philadelphia in six years.

The Wizards, Heat, and Bucks have not punched their tickets quite yet, but they're darn close. Those three teams are separated by only a game, but the ninth-place Detroit Pistons are a full five games back from the pack and only have seven games to make up the deficit.