The NBA play-in tournament begins on April 14, determining the No. 7 and No. 8 playoff seeds. The top-seeded Detroit Pistons (60-22) will find out their first-round playoff opponent for Game 1 on Sunday at 6:30 p.m.
The NBA play-in tournament starts Tuesday, April 14, and will determine the No. 7 and No. 8 playoff seeds in each conference. That leaves the top-seeded Detroit Pistons (60-22) waiting to find out who they'll host in Game 1 of the NBA playoffs on Sunday (6:30 p.m., NBC).
Here's a prediction of all three rounds of the play-in tournament and which teams will advance to face the Pistons and the Oklahoma City Thunder in the opening round.
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Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) brings the ball up court against the Charlotte Hornets during first quarter at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina, on Friday, April 10, 2026.
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Winner: Hornets.
The buzz: The Heat ended the regular season on a slide, losing 10 of their final 15 with the NBA's worst defense in that stretch. A high-powered Hornets offense should be too much for Miami to handle.
Winner: Blazers.
The buzz: Winners of 10 of their final 14 games, the Blazers have hit their stride defensively and are peaking at the right time. But Phoenix has been steady all season with a top-10 defense. This one feels like a coin flip.
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Winner: Magic.
The buzz: With Joel Embiid ruled out of the play-in tournament while recovering from appendix surgery, Philadelphia's hopes ride on Tyrese Maxey delivering a big performance. Neither teams foresaw the play-in tournament in their futures at the beginning of the season, but Michigan alumnus Franz Wagner ā who returned recently after missing 48 games with an ankle sprain ā should be able to lift Orlando over the top.
Winner: Clippers.
The buzz: The Warriors have limped to the finish line and are the lone play-in team with a losing record (37-45 overall). The Clippers, on the other hand, won eight of 12 to end the season and are led by Kawhi Leonard, who delivered another vintage season at age 34.
Detroit Pistons center Isaiah Stewart dunks the ball during the first half against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Sunday, April 12, 2026 in Indianapolis.
Detroit Pistons forward Tobias Harris shoots the ball against the Indiana Pacers during the first half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Sunday, April 12, 2026 in Indianapolis.
Detroit Pistons center Paul Reed dunks during the first half against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Sunday, April 12, 2026 in Indianapolis.
Indiana Pacers forward Jalen Slawson steals the ball from Detroit Pistons forward Tobias Harris in the first half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Sunday, April 12, 2026 in Indianapolis.
Indiana Pacers guard Taelon Peter shoots against Detroit Pistons center Isaiah Stewart in the first half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Sunday, April 12, 2026 in Indianapolis.
Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham dribbles against Indiana Pacers center Micah Potter in the first half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Sunday, April 12, 2026 in Indianapolis.
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Detroit Pistons center Isaiah Stewart dunks the ball during the first half against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Sunday, April 12, 2026 in Indianapolis.
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Detroit Pistons center Isaiah Stewart dunks the ball during the first half against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Sunday, April 12, 2026 in Indianapolis.
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Detroit Pistons forward Tobias Harris shoots the ball against the Indiana Pacers during the first half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Sunday, April 12, 2026 in Indianapolis.
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Detroit Pistons center Paul Reed dunks during the first half against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Sunday, April 12, 2026 in Indianapolis.
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Indiana Pacers forward Jalen Slawson steals the ball from Detroit Pistons forward Tobias Harris in the first half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Sunday, April 12, 2026 in Indianapolis.
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Indiana Pacers guard Taelon Peter shoots against Detroit Pistons center Isaiah Stewart in the first half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Sunday, April 12, 2026 in Indianapolis.
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Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham dribbles against Indiana Pacers center Micah Potter in the first half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Sunday, April 12, 2026 in Indianapolis.
Winner: Hornets.
The buzz: Without Embiid, the Sixers likely lack the firepower to keep pace with a Hornets offense that takes and makes 3-pointers at top-three rates. Charlotte has been one of the top teams in the East since Jan. 1 and should capture the No. 8 seed.
Winner: Clippers.
The buzz: The Suns have punched above their weight class this season, but they won't be able to solve Leonard.
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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Predicting NBA play in tournament, Detroit Pistons playoff opponent
The NBA play-in tournament starts on April 14, 2026.
The Pistons will face the team that advances from the play-in tournament, but the specific opponent will be determined after the tournament.
Game 1 of the playoffs for the Detroit Pistons is scheduled for Sunday at 6:30 p.m.
The Detroit Pistons have a record of 60 wins and 22 losses this season.
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