For years, the Milwaukee Bucks have been the last No. 1 seed to lose to a No. 8 seed in the playoffs. However, after years of embarrassment, another team may suddenly take the spotlight off the Bucks. The Detroit Pistons, who were a fearsome foe and dominated the East all season, are currently in an unforeseen 1-3 hole against the Orlando Magic, who made the postseason by the skin of their teeth.
Pistons on the verge of snagging Bucks' title
This series has gone the complete opposite way that anyone expected. After looking like one of the NBA's best teams in the regular season, many thought the Pistons would make light work of Orlando, who had to fight through the Play-In just to be here. Yet, the Pistons have looked like the prey in this series, and the Magic smell blood in the water.
Every game has been a rock fight, and the Magic are the ones coming out on top. Though they have four players averaging 16 or more points per game in this series, not a single one is shooting at least 43 percent from the floor. It's been an ugly product, but the gritty Magic are getting enough stops and buckets to have the East's top seed on the ropes.
If they can finish off the Pistons, it will be nothing short of remarkable. Just before this series, no one thought this team had a chance. It felt like head coach Jamahl Mosley would be as good as gone, and that several players could be on their way out as well. Suddenly, they have an opportunity to make the second round of the postseason and beyond. What a turn of events. Yet, the job isn't finished.
Bucks' 2023 playoff series is still haunting
Milwaukee's 2023 loss to the Miami Heat will remain one of the most crushing series in the history of the franchise. Poised to make a deep run, Jimmy Butler had other ideas for Milwaukee as he came to life and eliminated their championship hopes. Outside of Kevin Durant in 2021, what Butler did in that series remains one of the most incredible performances a player has ever had against Milwaukee.
No one cares in the long run, but the Bucks at least have the caveat that they were banged up. Very shortly into the series, Giannis Antetokounmpo got injured after a reckless charge attempt by Kevin Love, and he was never the same. The Pistons don't have that. Sure, Cade Cunningham had dealt with a collapsed lung earlier, but he hasn't missed playoff time as the Greek Freak did.
Only time will tell if the Pistons' season ends as Milwaukee's did in 2023 or if they can still rewrite the ugly future staring them in the face.
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