The Detroit Pistons, upon winning their 12th game in a row this season, have reached a historic level in their turnaround from bad to elite.

Over the weekend, future first-ballot Hall of Famer Chris Paul announced he is going to retire at the end of the season. The two-time LA Clippers guard is struggling in his 21st season, and at 40 years old, it makes sense that he’d want to hang up his sneakers at the conclusion of this campaign. Regardless of the outcome.

Utah Jazz star Lauri Markkanen has garnered a lot of trade interest this year. Since being linked to several teams this offseason, Markkanen continues to generate buzz by being mentioned in trade rumors involving the Detroit Pistons.

Detroit Pistons assistant Kevin Burleson remembers the long drives through the metro Detroit area in the passenger seat of his younger brother’s car.

The Pistons are middle of the road in 3-point volume allowed and 11th in 3-point percentage allowed. Where they shine is denying 2-pointers. They allow the fourth-fewest points in the paint (adjusted for pace) and the fourth-lowest 2-point percentage. They shut that water off real quick for their opponents.

Toronto has enjoyed the leadership of Scottie Barnes throughout, a fifth-year forward/guard who owns 46.7 fantasy points per game (FPPG) as the most productive Raptor. He’s played above that average as of late, pitching in 47.4 across the last seven with a high of 72 on Nov. 13.

This resurgence has led Gilbert Arenas to emphasize that Detroit was never the typical, hopeless bottom-tier team most franchises are perceived to be; even in their most difficult period, their core consistently showed effort and commitment.

Two seasons after an NBA-record losing streak, the visiting Detroit Pistons go for a franchise record 13th consecutive victory Monday against the reeling Indiana Pacers.