The Pistons could be the team no one wants to play in the Eastern Conference playoffs. Or they could not make the playoffs at all. At this point, it's just too early to tell.
But one thing that you can bank on is that they will be one of the teams you have to follow on a nightly basis, as their nucleus of young talent is just too much to ignore.
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Start with Andre Drummond. Free to roam the middle, he's averaging 18.5 points and 19 rebounds per game, including 25 and 18 in Tuesday's win over Eastern Conference power Cleveland.
But Drummond isn't alone. The Pistons have also received a boost from point guard Reggie Jackson, who is averaging 20.4 points, double his career average.
Small forward Marcus Morris and shooting guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope are on pace for career seasons as well.
Perhaps the biggest reason for optimism in Detroit is that guard Brandon Jennings hasn't been added to the mix yet. Jennings is still rehabbing from an Achilles tear suffered last season. He is expected play at some point this season.
Again, if the Pistons (6-5) ever get it figured out, they could be a scary team in late April.
Tweet of the night
A week ago, Knicks rookie Kristaps Porzingis was robbed of being a hero when his buzzer-beater against the Hornets was waved off. He finally got to be the hero Tuesday night, scoring a career-high 29 points and adding 11 rebounds as the Knicks beat the Hornets 102-94.
He also got to see the New York crowd react to former Knicks star Patrick Ewing, who is an assistant for the Hornets. Needless to say, their reaction left an impression.
KP, on seeing the crowd's reaction to Ewing: "That's something I want: To play in NY my whole career."
— Chris Herring (@HerringWSJ) November 18, 2015Stud of the night
Hassan Whitehead was dominant against the Timberwolves, except at the free-throw line. Whitehead put up 22 points, 14 rebounds and 10 blocks against rookie Karl-Anthony Towns, but went 2 for 9 from the charity stripe as the Heat lost 103-91. Still, it was an impressive effort by the big man.
Dud of the night
Greg Monroe is on pace for a career year in his first season in Milwaukee, but Tuesday night was one to forget. Monroe shot just 1 for 6 from the field and finished with four points. He also had just five rebounds on a night where his team was out-rebounded 42-34 in a 115-86 loss to the Wizards.
Looking ahead
Trail Blazers (4-8) at Rockets (4-7), 8:30 p.m. ET: The struggling Rockets are in the midst of a four-game losing streak. We'll see if their players-only meeting worked.