Playoffs locked up. Just happened. Like a few minutes ago. Just now! All locked up!

[zeebneeb]

We… good?

Good test tonight. A win @Orlando, combined with a Pacers loss, and the Pistons are tied for the 5th seed.

Also, the Pistons are now in the quadrant of wow!

Read on Twitter

[bstein14]

We… good?

Good test tonight. A win @Orlando, combined with a Pacers loss, and the Pistons are tied for the 5th seed.

Also, the Pistons are now in the quadrant of wow!

Read on Twitter

If you look at where Detroit was on this chart a few weeks ago, just about the time Ivey went down with an injury, Detroit was pretty much in the same place offensively but they were much lower defensively (close to league average instead of being a bit better). Thus far, losing Ivey hasn't hurt the offense at all (its pretty much stayed the same) but the defense is noticeably better.

Detroit went from playing middle of the road, maybe slightly above league average defense to now playing the 4th best defense in the league over the last 10 games behind only LAC, OKC, and Milwaukee. In the 32 games Ivey had played this season we held opponents under 100 just 3 times(Philly, Brooklyn & Toronto) and in the 12 games since Ivey has gone down we've held opponents to under 100 4 times.

[tmorgan]

It’s not any secret that Jaden is a isht defender. He needs heavy work there. Cade has improved, we need that again.

[Fennis Dembo]

We… good?

Good test tonight. A win @Orlando, combined with a Pacers loss, and the Pistons are tied for the 5th seed.

Also, the Pistons are now in the quadrant of wow!

Read on Twitter

If you look at where Detroit was on this chart a few weeks ago, just about the time Ivey went down with an injury, Detroit was pretty much in the same place offensively but they were much lower defensively (close to league average instead of being a bit better). Thus far, losing Ivey hasn't hurt the offense at all (its pretty much stayed the same) but the defense is noticeably better.

Detroit went from playing middle of the road, maybe slightly above league average defense to now playing the 4th best defense in the league over the last 10 games behind only LAC, OKC, and Milwaukee. In the 32 games Ivey had played this season we held opponents under 100 just 3 times(Philly, Brooklyn & Toronto) and in the 12 games since Ivey has gone down we've held opponents to under 100 4 times.

How much do those numbers change if you compare Ausur coming back? And Duren's defense has been improving lately. Not arguing that Ivey is a good defender, but there are other factors in the improvement.

[DetroitSho]

Good test tonight. A win @Orlando, combined with a Pacers loss, and the Pistons are tied for the 5th seed.

Also, the Pistons are now in the quadrant of wow!

Read on Twitter

If you look at where Detroit was on this chart a few weeks ago, just about the time Ivey went down with an injury, Detroit was pretty much in the same place offensively but they were much lower defensively (close to league average instead of being a bit better). Thus far, losing Ivey hasn't hurt the offense at all (its pretty much stayed the same) but the defense is noticeably better.

Detroit went from playing middle of the road, maybe slightly above league average defense to now playing the 4th best defense in the league over the last 10 games behind only LAC, OKC, and Milwaukee. In the 32 games Ivey had played this season we held opponents under 100 just 3 times(Philly, Brooklyn & Toronto) and in the 12 games since Ivey has gone down we've held opponents to under 100 4 times.

How much do those numbers change if you compare Ausur coming back? And Duren's defense has been improving lately. Not arguing that Ivey is a good defender, but there are other factors in the improvement.

Now, why in the world would you use context?

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[Canadafan]

It’s not any secret that Jaden is a isht defender. He needs heavy work there. Cade has improved, we need that again.

I was pretty impressed with Iveys effort on defense this season actually. I see good things in the future for him.

[bstein14]

It’s not any secret that Jaden is a isht defender. He needs heavy work there. Cade has improved, we need that again.

I was pretty impressed with Iveys effort on defense this actually. I see good things in the future for him.

He was one of the worst defenders in the league last year out of guys who played 20+ MPG. This year he was much better but still clearly below average. Ausar has been great defensively so him getting some of Ivey's minutes certainly has been a big part of why we've been playing the 4th best defense in the league as of late. Ausar being a starter and able to defend an opposing star player is huge for us. Maybe its more surprising that our offense hasn't declined at all with Ausar starting then it is that our defense is much better without Ivey.

[Kalamazoo317]

All of which is why I wasn't expecting much if any of a dropoff in our competitiveness with Ivey out. Could we use Ivey? Sure. Do we want him to get the developmental reps he needs to grow into a player who'll truly raise the ceiling for this team? Of course. Is his presence going to make or break our success this season? Nah, probably not.

[vic]

Ausar + Ivey > Ivey + THJ

THJ is not a small forward, he is a streaky shooting guard. Playing an actual SF defender at the SF position is the genius move. Removing Ivey wasn’t the solution. Playing Ausar as the starter was the solution.

[bstein14]

Ausar + Ivey > Ivey + THJ

THJ is not a small forward, he is a streaky shooting guard. Playing an actual SF defender at the SF position is the genius move. Removing Ivey wasn’t the solution. Playing Ausar as the starter was the solution.

You'd have so assume that next season our starting lineup is already on the books for us unless we make a significant trade.

Duren
Harris
Ausar
Ivey
Cade

[Kalamazoo317]

Playing Duren/Ausar does still make things tougher on the offensive side. It's only forcing turnovers and getting out in transition and Cade's general brilliance that are making it work.

[DetroitSho]

Ausar + Ivey > Ivey + THJ

THJ is not a small forward, he is a streaky shooting guard. Playing an actual SF defender at the SF position is the genius move. Removing Ivey wasn’t the solution. Playing Ausar as the starter was the solution.

Bingo

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[Snakebites]

Given how far we are ahead of the Bulls I don't think we'll miss the play-in unless we have an injury or major collapse.

The Heat are a major wild card- they could tank in the standings depending on what happens at the deadline. Philly could rise up though if they have a healthy streak.

[bstein14]

Given how far we are ahead of the Bulls I don't think we'll miss the play-in unless we have an injury or major collapse.

The Heat are a major wild card- they could tank in the standings depending on what happens at the deadline. Philly could rise up though if they have a healthy streak.

If the Bulls are sellers at the deadline and go full on tank mode we pretty much have a play-in spot locked up by default. It's more likely than not the 11th seed in the East has under 30 wins IMO so it should only take 30 wins to get the 10th seed and make the play-in and we've already got 23.

Atlanta also has lost 6 straight and has lost Jalen Johnson (3rd leading scorer) for the year. And you are right the Heat could be better once Jimmy gets dealt or they could continue to float at about .500 or a little less all year its really hard to predict how they finish out the season.

[zeebneeb]

Cade dropping 40.

https://youtu.be/BQ1b-ZVQaNE?si=d_g_SP2LVBq4BW3i

[breezypeezy]

I view 7 seed as our floor, we should be overtaking a Butler-less Miami soon and putting space behind us as the 6th seed.

[Canadafan]

I view 7 seed as our floor, we should be overtaking a Butler-less Miami soon and putting space behind us as the 6th seed.

I dunno man. I see Orlando passing us by if we don't upgrade by the deadline.
And if Miami gets something serviceable for Butler, they could too.
Leaves us at 8 with Hawks and Bulls 9+10.

[DetroitSho]

I view 7 seed as our floor, we should be overtaking a Butler-less Miami soon and putting space behind us as the 6th seed.

I dunno man. I see Orlando passing us by if we don't upgrade by the deadline.
And if Miami gets something serviceable for Butler, they could too.
Leaves us at 8 with Hawks and Bulls 9+10.

I think people have automatically assumed Orlando will surge and overtake us, but I don't know. I'm not just penciling them in for top 6. I see no reason we can't stave them off and be the best of the Tier 3 teams (us, ATL, Orlando and Miami). ESPECIALLY with us having the greatest potential to add an impact player.

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[LaSheed]

Count the Bulls out now. Toronto jumps them imo. Vuc is next. Ball looks like he's moving really well actually. Definitely interested in scooping him up.

[bstein14]

Atlanta has lost 8 in a row... if we beat them tomorrow Trea Young might be on the move next.