The Detroit Pistons have controlled the Eastern Conference standings since early November and sit at 42-14, 4.5 games ahead of their closest rival. Detroit is 10-2 against the other current top-six teams in the conference.
Despite the strong record, questions persist about whether the Pistons can navigate three playoff rounds. Last spring’s first-round exit was the franchise’s first postseason appearance since 2019, leaving rising stars Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren with limited playoff experience. Offensively, Detroit leans heavily on Cunningham and ranks 28th in the league in made three-pointers per game (11.1).
A loss to San Antonio on Monday underscored those concerns and highlighted president of basketball operations Trajan Langdon’s quiet trade deadline. The club’s lone addition, wing Kevin Huerter, has struggled from long range and has not played in the past three contests.
Other Eastern contenders
The Boston Celtics occupy the No. 2 seed without Jayson Tatum, who is rehabilitating an Achilles tear. Behind Jaylen Brown, Boston owns a 120.0 offensive rating, best in the conference and higher than last season’s figure. Tatum’s timetable remains uncertain, and his level of play if he returns is equally unclear.
The New York Knicks, third in the East at 37-22, boast the NBA’s third-best offensive rating and are coming off a 2025 conference-finals run. Under new head coach Mike Brown, New York has alternated between dominant stretches and inconsistent lapses.
Oddsmakers, however, list the Cleveland Cavaliers as favorites to win the conference. Cleveland has matched New York’s 37-22 mark and has won 13 of its last 15 games. Head coach Kenny Atkinson credited the deadline acquisition of James Harden for restoring the team’s confidence, saying, “We understand we’re a better team… I feel like we’re regaining that edge.” The Cavaliers, who won 64 games in 2024-25 before injuries derailed their postseason, are the only projected East playoff club without a losing record against Detroit, splitting the season series 1-1.
Several other teams remain in the conversation. The Toronto Raptors, Philadelphia 76ers, Orlando Magic, Miami Heat, Atlanta Hawks, and Charlotte Hornets all occupy places in the playoff picture. Philadelphia’s duo of Joel Embiid and Paul George presents a formidable challenge, while Orlando’s ceiling depends on improved health. Charlotte, still fighting for a postseason berth, has surged to a 12-3 record since Jan. 22—trailing only Cleveland (12-2) and San Antonio (11-2) in that span.
The Eastern field remains crowded, with Detroit holding the pole position, Boston waiting on Tatum, New York chasing consistency, and Cleveland riding renewed momentum into the stretch run.
Source: Hoops Rumors
