(My Sportsbook) - Detroit's reign as a four-time defending Central Division champion is over, but can the same be said for its six-year run to the Eastern Conference Finals?

Unfortunately for first-year head coach Michael Curry the Pistons will be lucky to even make the playoffs as they sit seventh in the East standings -- just four games ahead of both Milwaukee and Chicago. Hearts are certainly heavy in Auburn Hills after the recent passing of successful owner Bill Davidson and, as hard as it is, the Pistons must move on.

The Pistons (33-32) have alternated wins and losses over their last six games since a four-game winning streak and have been squeaking by without the services of big man Rasheed Wallace and guard Allen Iverson. Wallace has missed three straight games because of a calf injury and Iverson has been out the last nine contests due to a nagging back injury. Wallace and Iverson are not expected to accompany the team on its two-game Texas trip against Dallas and Houston.

Iverson hasn't been seen on the bench after his doctor advised him not to sit for lengthy periods of time. The future Hall of Famer hasn't spoken to the media either and is expected to be reevaluated by back specialists this week. The Pistons may be better off without Iverson in the lineup since he seems disgruntled with his new role in Detroit.

Detroit hasn't missed the playoffs since going 32-50 in 2000-01.

BULLS HANGING ON TO PLAYOFF HOPES

As the regular season winds down for the Chicago Bulls, the playoffs may actually become a reality.

The Bulls had a three-year postseason run come to an end last season and currently sit tied with Milwaukee for the eighth and final playoff berth in the East. Under first-year head coach Vinny Del Negro the Bulls have been a very inconsistent team in 2008-09, but their 20-11 home mark could save them in the end.

Chicago (30-37) has ripped off six consecutive wins in the Windy City and put the brakes on a three-game slide with an improbable victory versus New Orleans on Saturday in the opener of a quick two-game homestand. Del Negro's squad can gain even more confidence with a triumph over visiting Boston on Tuesday.

John Salmons has enjoyed his stint with the Bulls so far, and is averaging 17.8 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 12 games with the team. Center Joakim Noah has been a lion on the boards lately, pulling down an average of 10.5 rpg over the previous 10 contests.

BUCKS TRY TO BUILD OFF BIG WIN

Punching a bully in the face, getting a wink from an attractive woman and words of kindness are all ways to build personal confidence.

Beating the Boston Celtics is another way too. Just ask the Milwaukee Bucks, whose postseason aspirations are hanging by a thread. Milwaukee (31-38) is currently tied with Chicago for the eighth and final playoff spot in the East and is coming off just its third win in 10 tries.

The Bucks have missed the playoffs in each of the last two seasons and have beaten Washington, Golden State and Boston since late February. They are also 2-2 on a six-game homestand which will also feature contests versus Orlando and Portland, both of which are headed to the postseason.

Prior to Sunday's win over the Celtics, Milwaukee forward Charlie Villanueva was averaging 21.3 points and 8.0 rebounds in the past 27 games, all starts. He ended with 19 points and seven rebounds versus Boston.

CAVS KEEP MOWING DOWN OPPONENTS

The top-seeded and Central Division-champion Cleveland Cavaliers are clearing a path towards the postseason at a hurried pace, having won five straight and 22 of their last 27 games.

Cleveland, which is 3 1/2 games ahead of Boston for the top spot in the East, can tie the 1992-93 squad's 54-28 record with a victory Tuesday against the tough Orlando Magic for the second-highest win total in the regular season. The Cavs (53-13) will have a solid chance at reaching that goal if they score more than 100 points versus the Magic, as they sport a 31-0 mark this season when reaching the century mark in points.

Much of Cleveland's success in 2008-09 can be directed towards two plays: Superstar LeBron James and much-improved point guard Mo Williams. The tandem is currently tied with Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol of the Los Angeles Lakers as the highest scoring duo at 46.6 ppg. James and Williams have led the Cavs to five straight wins and helped open a four-game homestand with a 98-93 victory over the New York Knicks on Sunday.

The Cavaliers will also host the Blazers and Hawks on the residency and sport an NBA-best 29-1 record as the host this season. In other team news, forward Anderson Varejao is averaging 11.2 points over his last six games.

INDIANA IS LUCKY TO BE IN THE EAST

The Indiana Pacers are having a subpar 2008-09 campaign and can still reach the playoffs with a current record of 28-40. If the Pacers were playing in the better-contested Western Conference, they would be planning vacations.

However, the Pacers are 2 1/2 games off the eighth and final postseason berth in the East despite being 12 games under .500. It's a head scratcher with the balance of power in the NBA and teams such as Indiana having a chance to extend its season, but that's life in the league.

Head coach Jim O'Brien has guided his team to three straight losses and surprisingly has his team within striking distance of Milwaukee and Chicago in the Eastern Conference. Indiana will open a short two-game homestand Wednesday versus Portland and Dallas.