Here’s How the Detroit Pistons Have Set Themselves Apart in January

The Detroit Pistons have gone 8-2 in their last ten games, are currently on a four-game winning streak, and there is a big reason why.

Jan 21, 2026; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren (0) reacts to a play against the New Orleans Pelicans during the second half at Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images | Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

The Detroit Pistons are beginning to look like one of the most intimidating teams in the NBA, and their latest four-game winning streak has only strengthened that perception.

Sitting comfortably atop the Eastern Conference, Detroit’s surge has been fueled not just by timely scoring or star performances but by a level of consistency that has set them apart from the rest of the league.

And that largely swings back to their defense, which has been the defining feature of the Pistons’ January run.

Over the course of the month, Detroit leads the NBA in defensive rating at an elite 99.5, a figure that underscores how difficult they have been to score against on a nightly basis.

The gap between the Pistons and the rest of the field is telling, with the Oklahoma City Thunder sitting second at 107.5. That separation shows just how dominant Detroit’s defense has been, turning games into grinding contests that favor their approach.

Detroit held New Orleans to 104 points in tonight's win, marking the 7th straight game they have held their opponent to 105 points or less-- the team's longest such streak since 2016.

Detroit leads the NBA with a 99.5 defensive rating in the month of January (2nd - OKC, 107.5).

— Pistons PR (@Pistons_PR) January 22, 2026

That identity was once again on display in Wednesday night’s 112–104 win over the New Orleans Pelicans. Detroit held New Orleans to just 104 points, marking the seventh consecutive game in which the Pistons have limited their opponent to 105 points or fewer.

It is the franchise’s longest such streak since 2016, and another sign that this group is establishing a defensive standard reminiscent of the team’s most successful eras, including the Detroit Bad Boys of the late 80s and early 90s, as well as the Detroit championship-winning side of 2004.

With the win over New Orleans, the Pistons moved nearly six games clear of the Boston Celtics, their closest challengers in the Eastern Conference.

Detroit had already delivered a statement earlier in the week by defeating Boston on Monday, a game that highlighted the Pistons’ ability to punish mistakes and control tempo.

Against the Celtics, Detroit marked the hidden areas that often decide close games. The Pistons held a 19–4 advantage in points off turnovers and a commanding 20–3 edge in fastbreak scoring.

Every time Boston attempted to generate momentum, Detroit responded - forcing a turnover, sprinting the floor, or locking down defensively in the half court.

That theme has become increasingly familiar. The Pistons have found answers for whatever opponents throw at them, whether it is a scoring run, a strategic adjustment, or a shift in pace.

With elite defensive numbers, disciplined execution, and growing separation in the standings, Detroit’s four-game winning streak feels less like a hot stretch and more like confirmation that they are the team to beat in the Eastern Conference.