The Detroit Pistons are looking to make the playoffs for the first time since 2016, and head coach Dwane Casey says the team's playoff push starts against the Atlanta Hawks.

The Pistons are 26-30 on the season entering Friday, which is good for the eighth and final playoff spot in the East. However, they are only a half game ahead of the Orlando Magic and Miami Heat, which means every game from now on is going to be crucial for Detroit.

The Hawks are a team that plays really hard, but the Pistons should win this game. It's not a guarantee, though, as Detroit has a bad habit of playing down to the level of its competition. Atlanta enters Friday at 19-39.

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Blake Griffin, Andre Drummond and Reggie Jackson are the three best players on the Pistons. It's up to them to lead the team to the postseason.

Griffin has been playing like a superstar all season. The high-flyer is averaging 26.3 points, 8.1 rebounds and 5.4 assists per game while shooting 47.9 percent from the field, 36.5 percent from beyond the arc and 75.9 percent from the free-throw line.

Drummond is putting up 17.4 points and 15.0 rebounds. Andre and Blake form one of the toughest front courts in the NBA.

Jackson has been very inconsistent this season. The 28-year-old is averaging 14.9 points and 4.4 assists. The Pistons need to defeat the Hawks to start their playoff push on the right foot.