Cade Cunningham’s two-way rise with the Pistons highlights elite defense, growing offense, and a championship-focused mindset.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander won NBA MVP last year and led a star-laden Thunder team to its first title in Oklahoma City. Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray are the star tandem in Denver, while Luka Doncic has LeBron James and Austin Reaves by his side on the Los Angeles Lakers.

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.

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.

ESPN analyst Bobby Marks released a breakdown of the Detroit Pistons contract situation and it revealed who is able to be traded after the December 15 deadline and who cannot.

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.

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.

Javonte Green pulled off a poster dunk on Derrick White in the Pistons' matchup against the Celtics on Monday night.