Pistons poised for first playoff berth since 2019

By the numbers: After Monday night's 134-106 win over the Jazz, Detroit (35-27) already has more wins this season than the last two combined (31).

• Former No. 1 overall pick Cade Cunningham is averaging career highs in points (25.3), rebounds (6.2) and assists (9.4).

• He and Denver's Nikola Jokić are the only two players averaging at least 25 points and nine assists this season.

State of play: If the season ended today, the Pistons would make the playoffs as the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference.

• Their last playoff appearance was in 2019, when they went 41-41 and got swept by the Bucks in the first round.

Catch up quick: Detroit made big changes last offseason after finishing with the league's worst record (14-68).

• The franchise parted ways with general manager Troy Weaver and coach Monty Williams.
• In their places are former New Orleans Pelicans GM Trajan Langdon and J.B. Bickerstaff, who previously coached the Cavaliers.

Between the lines: The Pistons are winning with tougher defense and improved shooting from new faces on the team like Malik Beasley and Tim Hardaway Jr.

What they're saying: "I'm happy for the city but I'm not satisfied at all," Cunningham recently told reporters.

• "The city wants championships — we're slowly building toward that."

The intrigue: Detroit's recent success has come without Jaden Ivey, who broke his fibula on Jan. 1.

• He began weight-bearing activities last month and continues to rehabilitate.

What's next: The Pistons play at the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday at 10:30pm.

• It's the second of a four-game West Coast swing.
• They play at Golden State on Saturday and at Portland on Sunday.