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How do Pistons compare to previous editions that also won 13 straight?

Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham. Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

How do current Pistons compare to previous editions that also won 13 straight games?

By Kenneth Ray Jr. | Last updated Nov 25, 2025 6:04 PM ET

With a 122-117 conquest of the Indiana Pacers on Monday night, the Detroit Pistons have won 13 consecutive games, tying the records of the 2003-04 and 1989-90 Pistons.

At 15-2, the Pistons are clicking on all cylinders and find themselves perched atop the NBA’s Eastern Conference standings, so there is no denying that what they are doing is impressive. And while comparing them to the great Pistons teams of yesteryear might be a bit unfair, there are a couple of striking similarities between the teams and a few notable differences.

All three teams are strong defensively

The most notable similarity among all three teams is their tenacity on defense. The “Bad Boy” Pistons of 1990 and the 2004 “Goin’ to Work” Pistons both ranked second in defensive rating, while the current “Nasty Dogs” Pistons rank fourth. The net ratings of all three teams are among the best in the Association and tops in the Eastern Conference.

Year	DRTG	NBA Rank	EC Rank
1989-90	103.5	2nd	1st
2003-04	95.4	2nd	1st
2025-26	111.3	4th	2nd

Year	NetRTG	NBA Rank	EC Rank
1989-90	6.4	3rd	1st
2003-04	6.6	2nd	1st
2025-26	6.9	4th	1st
Source: StatMuse

All three teams feature premier point guards

Hall-of-Famers Isiah Thomas and Chauncey Billups led former Pistons teams that won 13 straight games. Thomas was a perennial All-Star, and Billups was selected five times. Current Pistons point guard Cade Cunningham, a 2024 All-Star, ranks 14th in NBA scoring (27.1) and leads all point guards in assists (9.6).

All three teams feature highly regarded defenders

In 1990, Pistons forward Dennis Rodman won the NBA Defensive Player of the Year award for the first of two times. The 2004 team featured Ben Wallace, who finished second in DPOY voting that season, but won the award four times during his career. The 2025-26 Pistons team features Ausar Thompson, who has yet to win the DPOY award, but in his third season is widely regarded as one of the league’s top defenders. Rodman won the award for the first time in his fourth season and Wallace in his sixth, so there is still time for Thompson to secure it.

The 1990 and 2004 teams won NBA championships

There were three Hall-of-Famers (Thomas, Rodman and Joe Dumars), on the 1990 Pistons roster, and the 2004 Pistons had two (Billups, Wallace). Both teams won NBA championships, which actually compliments the 2025-26 Pistons by confirming that what they have achieved in winning 13 straight games is special, as it has been accomplished before by NBA champions.

The Pistons face the Boston Celtics on Wednesday, with an opportunity to win their 14th straight game, establish a new franchise record and take the first step in claiming their rightful place amongst the greatest Pistons teams.

Kenneth Ray Jr.

Kenneth Ray, Jr., is a Kansas City native and a longtime fan of the Chiefs and Royals. A former college basketball player, he has a deep appreciation for the talent and athleticism of professional athletes and an enduring love for sports history. As a writer, he creates engaging narratives that are precise, informative, and insightful.

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