What’s That Smell? Oh, That’s the Pistons Cooking

DETROIIITTT BASKETBALLLL!!!

Yeah, I said it loud because the city deserves to feel that again.

The Pistons have been cooking like Grandma’s mac and cheese at the family reunion since that tough season opener loss to the Bulls.

But after that one, they've come back swinging.

First, they handled business against KD and the Rockets (still feels wild saying that sentence). Then they came home and handed the Boston Celtics a 119-113 L at Little Caesars Arena Sunday afternoon.

That’s right, two straight wins. And not just wins — statement wins.

This was a game where Detroit looked young, hungry, and fearless. Boston came out hot, jumping out to a 14-2 lead like they were about to put the Pistons on a poster early. At one point, the Pistons were down 17 and looked completely out of sync.

Five turnovers in the first four minutes? Brutal.

But here’s the thing: these aren’t the old Pistons. This squad didn’t fold. They fought back.

Cade Cunningham put on a clinic, dropping 25 points with that steady, confident pace that screams franchise player.

Jalen Duren was a straight-up bully inside — 24 points, 18 boards, and energy that had Boston’s bigs looking shook.

And then there’s Ausar Thompson, who played with that “I want it more” mentality, adding 21 points and 12 boards, including four crucial second-chance buckets down the stretch.

Detroit scored 30 second-chance points. That’s effort. That’s heart. That’s culture.

This team’s identity is finally taking shape: tough, defensive-minded, and full of dogs. And after watching them grind out wins over two legit playoff squads, I’m starting to believe they might be closer than we think.

Let’s keep it a buck, though. From 2019 to 2024, we were a walking meme: 94-290 and nowhere near the playoffs. The Pistons were the punchline to every “rebuild gone wrong” joke.

But this? This feels different.

Cade is looking like that guy. Duren is developing into a monster. Ausar is turning into the ultimate two-way wing.

And even though Ron Holland is still trying to find his shot, you can see the confidence, the hustle, and the defensive energy.

He’s not hiding from the moment; he’s embracing it.

So yeah, go ahead and ask the question: Can the Pistons actually win a playoff series? Could this young core, if healthy, make it to the Eastern Conference Finals?

That might sound wild right now, but if you’ve been watching these last two games, it doesn’t feel so crazy anymore.

The culture is shifting. The city’s starting to buzz again. And for the first time in a long time, “Detroit Basketball” feels like more than just a chant; it feels like a movement.

So to answer your question… Yeah, Detroit is cooking, and I’m pulling up to the table with a fork in hand.

Let’s eat. 🍽💪🏾