Pistons continue their upward trend, for now

The Detroit Pistons are on a roll. With a 106-97 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday night, they extended their winning streak to seven games — their longest run in a decade, dating back to the 2014-15 season.

Cade Cunningham led the charge with 32 points, nine rebounds, seven assists and three steals, knocking down four three-pointers just a day after his 38-point outburst against the Atlanta Hawks. The fourth-year guard continues to build on his first All-Star campaign, solidifying his place as one of the league’s brightest young stars.

Cunningham has propelled Detroit to a 32-26 record, positioning it as the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference and firmly in the playoff mix. A postseason berth would mark the franchise’s first since 2018-19 and the first under Cunningham’s leadership.

During the Pistons’ win streak, the star guard is averaging 27.2 points per game, the 11th highest in the NBA, while his 9.5 assists per game rank among the league’s top five. He’s also shooting an impressive 44.7 percent from beyond the arc. 

Malik Beasley and Tobias Harris have stepped up as key contributors as well, averaging 20.0 and 19.0 points per game, respectively. Beasley has been particularly lethal from three, hitting 51.4 percent of his attempts and trailing only Anthony Edwards for the most made threes this season (229).

Detroit’s offense has surged, ranking third in the NBA in offensive rating (122.7) over the winning streak. However, before Monday’s win, its six victories had all come against teams with losing records. It had struggled against teams over .500, posting an 8-16 mark in those matchups.

That’s what made the win over the Clippers significant. Los Angeles entered the game at 31-25, making Detroit’s victory its first in this streak against a team with a winning record. With a daunting schedule ahead — including matchups against the Boston Celtics and Denver Nuggets — maintaining the momentum will be a challenge.

Even if the streak ends soon, the Pistons have proved they are no longer an afterthought. Cunningham is playing at an elite level, surrounded by the strongest supporting cast of his career. Detroit may not be a title contender yet, but it is firmly in the mix — and, for the first time in years, a legitimate playoff threat.