The Pistons are 5-1 in their last six games, including wins over the Hawks and Heat, and they’re 8-3 on their travels this year. One of those losses came in a nail-biter at TD Garden in November, where Cade Cunningham & Co. almost overcame Boston's 47% night from 3-point range.

The Detroit Pistons have won five of their last six matchups, most recently defeating the Atlanta Hawks 142-115 at home last Friday. It was the team’s largest win of the season, and the bench scored a season-high 77 points in the win. 12 players scored at least 7 points, making the Pistons the third team in NBA history to accomplish that feat.

Follow along with the best of a five-game night in the NBA, headlined by Cade Cunningham and Jaylen Brown facing off in Pistons-Celtics.

As good as Cunningham was for the Pistons, White was just as important for the Celtics. Guard Jaylen Brown may have led the team with 34 points (13-of-25 FG), eight rebounds and seven assists, but White kept the Celtics in contention late with 23 of his season-high 31 points coming in the second half.

Cade Cunningham scored 32 points and added 10 assists in a 112-105 win over the Boston Celtics on Monday, Dec. 15.

Ausar Thompson, 22, is arguably the best point-of-attack defender in the NBA and has developed a consistent midrange jumper, and his paint touches have become invaluable. Duncan Robinson is the ultimate floor spacer, is adept at shooting on the move from behind the arc and often uses his gravity to manipulate defenses.

However, the matchup was a reminder of the best the Eastern Conference has to offer Boston right now as trade season begins. Boston fell to 1-2 on the season against the Pistons with the 112-105 defeat but there was a consensus that this game resembled a playoff contest.

Pistons coach JB Bickerstaff addressed trade speculation, offering pointed remarks about the team’s direction and roster plans.

The Detroit Pistons face the Boston Celtics in a regular season NBA game on Monday, Dec. 15, 2025 at TD Garden in Boston, Mass.

The Pistons made their first big leap last season when they won 44 games, made the playoffs for the first time since 2019 and pushed the New York Knicks to six games in the first round. Instead of cashing in their chips over the summer to bring in a star and expedite their rebuild, they decided to operate in the margins.

It has been two decades since we last saw a Detroit Pistons team this good, thanks to their work in transition and around the rim.