What’s fueling the red-hot Detroit Pistons, owners of best record in Eastern Conference

With their seventh consecutive win Monday — a 137-135 triumph over the struggling Washington Wizards — the 9-2 Detroit Pistons now own the best record in the Eastern Conference. And while it’s far too early to hand them the Larry O’Brien Trophy, NBA analysts and fans alike are taking note of what’s going down in Motown. 

Here's how they are doing it. (All statistics and records are through play Monday.)

They are playing solid defense

According to NBA.com, the Pistons have a defensive rating of 110.2, tops among Eastern Conference teams and fourth in the NBA, and with 6.2 blocked shots per game, they rank second in the NBA to the Philadelphia 76ers. They also rank third in steals (10.2), third in rebounds (48.3) and their opponents have scored at least 120 points only once, a feat matched by no other Eastern Conference team.

The chemistry between Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren is real

Guard Cunningham has found a reliable pick-and-roll partner in center Jalen Duren. When Cunningham supplies the alley, Duren skies for the oop. Their connection helps Cunningham rack up assists — he ranks second in the Association with 9.9 per game — and provides a steady diet of easy baskets for the Pistons' big man. Duren's 64.7% field-goal percentage ranks sixth in the league.

Ausar Thompson is becoming a complete player

Now in his third season, the small forward has a reputation as a defensive stopper, but his offensive game is catching up. He is a consistent double-digit scorer and has shot at least 50 percent from the floor in each game this season. As a rookie, he averaged 8.8 points, 6.4 rebounds and 1.9 assists. 

This season, those numbers have blossomed to 13.9 points, 6.6 rebounds and 3.4 assists. His solid game on both ends of the floor makes him a key contributor to the early success.

They are winning on the road

In the NBA, bad teams lose on the road and good teams break even. Only elite teams have sparkling road records. The Pistons are 4-1 on the road, with wins versus the Rockets, Grizzlies, Nets and Sixers. While it is unlikely they’ll keep up this pace, .800 is where they are now, and it’s impressive.

Cunningham has emerged as a closer

Cunningham (11.7) trails only Milwaukee's Giannis Antetokounmpo (12.1) in fourth-quarter scoring. In a recent nail-biter in Philly, won by Pistons 111-108, Cunningham dropped seven in the fourth quarter and scored the Pistons' final five points to seal the win, including a thunderous posterization of Sixers center Andre Drummond.