Central Division Roundup: Cavaliers mull matchup, Pistons eye pick swap, Bucks monitor injuries
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OAKLAND, Calif. — The Cleveland Cavaliers secured a postseason berth with Thursday’s victory over the Golden State Warriors, a milestone All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell labeled “the bare minimum” for the ballclub.
Head coach Kenny Atkinson told reporters he is already evaluating potential first-round opponents.
“You’d be lying if you said you didn’t think about it,” Atkinson said. “As we get really close, you do start thinking about it … Obviously, the first priority is worrying about us and our play, but there’s that space in your mind where you ask, ‘What could work for us?’”
Cleveland sits fourth in the Eastern Conference at 48-29, one game behind the New York Knicks. Three of the Cavaliers’ final five contests are against non-playoff clubs, beginning with Sunday’s home date versus Indiana. They also face fifth-place Atlanta twice, games that could influence both teams’ positioning.
Mitchell is not interested in jockeying for a desired seed. “You don’t want to play that game,” he said. “Just go out there and try to win every night, and wherever we fall we fall.”
Pistons tighten grip on East’s top seed, improve draft outlook
Detroit moved closer to locking up the No. 1 seed in the conference by defeating Minnesota on Thursday. The victory also enhanced the Pistons’ draft capital: under February’s three-team trade that landed Kevin Huerter, they hold the right to swap first-round picks with the Timberwolves and would currently select 21st instead of 28th.
Bucks’ depth tested as Trent Jr. joins lengthy injury list
Milwaukee finished Wednesday’s loss in Houston with only seven healthy players after guard Gary Trent Jr. exited because of a hip contusion. Trent is questionable for Friday’s home game against Boston, leaving the Bucks’ availability in flux.
With Milwaukee set to make its first lottery selection since 2016, Eric Nehm of The Athletic outlined college prospects to watch during Final Four weekend.
Extra helpings for Cavaliers staff
Separately, Joe Vardon of The Athletic reported on Cleveland’s upgraded road-trip catering program, which supplies high-quality, health-focused meals to players and the entire traveling party. Mitchell cited the initiative as part of the organization’s commitment to performance and a factor in his decision to re-sign.
Source: HoopsRumors
