DETROIT – With their 99-93 loss to the Heat Tuesday night, the Pistons clinched the No. 8 seed in the Eastern Conference and a first-round matchup with the top-seeded Cavaliers.
Detroit is returning to the postseason for the first time since 2009, when they were crushed by Cleveland in a four-game sweep. LeBron James has long been an obstacle for the Pistons in the playoffs.
The Pistons and Cavs met in the postseason three times during James' first stint in Cleveland. In 2006, the top-seeded Pistons knocked off the Cavs in game seven of the conference semifinals.
James got his revenge in 2007, putting the Cavs on his back to knock off the Pistons in the conference finals (another seven-game series). The Cavaliers lost to the Spurs in the NBA Finals.
In the most recent meeting in 2009, the Pistons were already on a steep downward spiral and stood no chance against Cleveland.
Detroit will play its final game Wednesday against Cleveland. The Pistons lead the season series 2-1 and won the most recent meeting in Cleveland on Feb. 22.
The Pistons (43-38) already have 11 more wins than they finished with last season, making them one of the best turnaround stories in the league. They'll have to overcome the best team in the East to make some noise in the postseason for the first time this decade.