Detroit Pistons to Begin NBA Playoff Run Sunday: Why Alabama Fans Might Care

Why it matters locally: While the Detroit Pistons' playoff run might seem distant to Alabama residents, the NBA playoffs, in general, are a popular sporting event with a significant following nationwide, including in Alabama. Alabama residents might have personal preferences for specific NBA teams or players, and those who follow the sport will pay attention to the outcome of the playoffs, regardless of where the teams are located.

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The Detroit Pistons will host Game 1 of their first-round NBA playoff series on Sunday at 6:30 p.m. ET, at Little Caesars Arena, according to team officials. The Pistons clinched the top seed in the Eastern Conference after concluding the regular season with a 133-121 victory over the Indiana Pacers. Their final record stands at 60 wins and 22 losses. Detroit's opponent will be the team that emerges as the No. 8 seed from the NBA Play-In Tournament, which takes place between Tuesday and Friday. The Play-In Tournament involves the teams that finished the regular season in seventh through tenth place in the conference standings competing for the final two playoff spots. The top seed guarantees the Pistons home-court advantage throughout the Eastern Conference playoffs. The team expects to use the time prior to Sunday's game to prepare for the as-yet-undetermined opponent.