The Detroit Pistons suffered their ninth loss of the regular season to kickoff the new year Thursday night against the Miami Heat. Detroit still stands atop the

The Detroit Pistons entered their Thursday night game against the Miami Heat with a shorthanded lineup. Unfortunately, as they reached the second half of the game, the team ruled out its starting center, Jalen Duren, adding to the list of injury concerns in the new year.

The Pistons began the night strongly during the first five minutes, but they seemed to lose energy after the Heat embarked on a 14-0 run at the end of the first quarter. Detroit fought back at the start of the second period and briefly took the lead at 44-40; however, they were unable to maintain that momentum.

The Detroit Pistons are the best team in the Eastern Conference going into the new calendar year, but that doesn't mean they are a perfect squad by any means. T

Kawhi Leonard helped a team win a title in 2019, and the Eastern Conference-leading Detroit Pistons could be in the market for him this year.

The Miami Heat face the Detroit Pistons Thursday at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. Tip-off set for 7 p.m. ET.

The Detroit Pistons started off the new year with a 118-112 loss to the Miami Heat. Guard Cade Cunningham, who broke one million votes in the NBA's first All-Star fan vote returns, ended the night with 31 points as he shot a hefty amount of free throws.

Miami out-rebounded Detroit 47-41 on Thursday after the Pistons out-rebounded the Heat by five in Detroit’s overtime win Nov. 29 in Miami. Jaquez scored 10 in the first half, on 6 for 8 shooting, en route to scoring at least 19 points for the sixth consecutive game.

2025 was a year of explosive growth for the Detroit Pistons.

The Pistons (25-8) return from their West Coast trip to face Miami (18-15), with both teams entering Thursday's contest following impressive victories. Here's how to watch for free.

The Pistons stressed getting back to playing their standard of defense ahead of a back-to-back against the Cavaliers and Knicks.