APTOPIX Pistons Pacers Basketball

Indiana Pacers center Micah Potter (11) goes over the back of Detroit Pistons forward Paul Reed (7) during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Indianapolis, Sunday, April 12, 2026.

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Inside the Numbers: Some notes going into the NBA playoffs

Inside the Numbers: Some notes going into the NBA playoffs

This NBA season has been unusual, with three teams finishing over .500 but missing the playoffs. Charlotte, Miami and the Los Angeles Clippers all had winning records but didn't qualify. The only other years when that happened were 1971 and 2022. Miami's coach, Erik Spoelstra, noted the difference from his first year when 43 wins secured a fifth seed. Meanwhile, James Harden continues his playoff streak, now with the Cleveland Cavaliers. He’s aiming for a top-10 spot in career playoff scoring. In other news, the Detroit Pistons will host their first playoff opener since 2008, facing Orlando.