AUBURN HILLS -- If the Detroit Pistons have hope for success as the eighth and final seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs, it likely rests on the experience key team members have from years of postseason games.
"Experience is huge when it comes to the playoffs," Detroit coach Michael Curry said after the Pistons lost 91-88 to the Chicago Bulls on Monday night. "During the regular season, it matters, but not as much as it does in the playoffs. And so, we will be depending on that."
Rasheed Wallace, Richard Hamilton and Tayshaun Prince have been part of the starting unit since the 2004 NBA championship run. They will lead the Pistons into a first-round series this weekend in Cleveland against the top-seeded Cavaliers.
Times and dates of playoff games will be announced after the regular season ends Wednesday.
Wallace, Hamilton and Prince have been part of five consecutive teams that made it at least as far as the Eastern Conference finals, which means 17 series since 2004. In addition, Antonio McDyess has extensive playoff experience in his career.
"We know we can get beat by anybody, and we know we can beat anyone also, so the only difference is this year we're going on the road to start the playoffs," Curry said.
Hamilton said experience is important in the playoffs.
"We've seen it all before, and we know exactly what it takes," he said.
