46+12+11, the first in history, 7 consecutive victories to quietly rise to the first place! 4 factors help the Eastern replicable Rockets take off

He became the first player in NBA history with 46+12+11+5, winning 7 consecutive victories and quietly rising to first place in the Eastern Conference! Four major factors helped the Pistons, who can be called a replica of the Rockets in the Eastern Conference, take off at full strength.

7-game winning streak, first place in the Eastern Conference

After defeating the 76ers in the previous game, the Pistons faced back-to-back contests with the Wizards, who were last in the standings. Since the previous game was a strong dialogue, it was not decided until the last minute. Victory or defeat, facing the weak Wizards in this game, the Pistons obviously relaxed. Fortunately, at the decisive moment, Jenkins' tying three-pointer dragged the game into overtime. In the end, they defeated the Wizards 137-135 in a thrilling manner and won 7 consecutive victories. At the same time, they gave the Wizards 9 consecutive losses.

With this performance, the Pistons, who have won 7 consecutive victories, continue to rank first in the Eastern Conference with a record of 8 wins and 2 losses. Four major factors have also helped this dark horse, which can be called a replica of the Rockets in the Eastern Conference in terms of personnel structure and reconstruction methods, to take off and continue to transform.

Factor 1: Cunningham's first player in history

Before the Rockets selected Jaylen Green with the second pick in 21, the Pistons did not hesitate to use the No. 1 pick to win Cunningham. After the latter experienced injuries and slowness in the early stages of his career, he gradually became one of the top ball-handling cores in active service.

Cunningham made 14 of 45 shots in this game despite a poor touch, scoring 46 points, 12 rebounds, 11 assists, 5 steals and 2 blocks. He became the second player in NBA history to score at least 40 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists and 5 steals. The first was Jordan.

If the score is further increased to 45 points, then Cunningham will be the first player in NBA history to score at least 45 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists and 5 steals in a single game.

This is the epitome of Cunningham's impressive performance since the start of the season. After increasing his assists per game from 7.5 to 9.1 last season, he has further improved to the league's second-highest average of 9.9 per game this season.

During the 7-game winning streak, this value increased to 11.2 times per game, and in the game against the Mavericks, he sent a career-record 18 assists in a single game. He is becoming the absolute brain and engine of this Pistons.

Factor 2: Replica of World of Warcraft Jaylen Duren

While the Rockets won Jaya and Ethan in 2022, the Pistons also picked up Jaylen Duren with the 13th pick. The latter has now grown into the Pistons' solid inside core, and his dominance can be called a replica of World of Warcraft.

Another easy 19+14 double-double in this game, the seventh double-double of the season, 6 of which came during the 7-game winning streak, including 22 points and 22 rebounds in a single game.

Compared to playing a double-double machine on both offense and defense, Jaylen Duren's tough style of play and never-give-up spirit are a perfect fit for the Motor City, which is known for its iron-bloodedness.

Factor 3: The talented Osar

After winning the core of the team in the previous two years, the Rockets and the Pistons won the Thompson brothers with the 4th and 5th picks in 2023. Unlike his elder brother Amen, who emerged early, younger brother Osar Thompson's career started slowly due to injuries.

The same thing is that Osar and his brother Amen are both talented weirdos in NBA history. They are also top defenders and all-around swingmen.

After the absence of Osar, the arrow figure in this game, the Pistons' defense became obviously slack. During the winning streak, Osar's defensive efficiency was 104.9, ranking seventh among players who averaged at least 30 minutes per game during the same period. Like his brother Amen, he is becoming the top defender in the NBA.

Factor 4: Excellent new reinforcements

While the young core continues to transform, the Pistons also completed the introduction of puzzle players. After Beasley left the team due to off-court factors, the Pistons quickly signed sharpshooter Dunro to fill the vacancy, and then acquired LeVert.

The former quickly integrated into the team. Since the beginning of the season, he has averaged 2.8 three-pointers per game with a field goal rate of 40%. LeVert has also averaged 1.3 three-pointers per game, with a field goal percentage of 44.4%.

Javonte Green, who was signed with a minimum salary, also scored 11 points and 11 rebounds in this game. Dennis Jenkins, who has a two-way contract, became the savior. He scored 24 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists and 4 steals, and hit a tying three-pointer in regular time.

It is not difficult to see from these four factors that this Pistons, like the Rockets that have risen strongly in the past two seasons, still has huge internal potential that can be tapped.

I believe that after becoming a dark horse last season, the Pistons team built around Cunningham, Jaylen Duren and Osar will become a force that cannot be ignored in the Eastern Conference championship team this season.