This article was originally published on www.si.com/nba/pistons/onsi as One thing Detroit Pistons need to become a true title contender. 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.

Over a key stretch of big games coming up, the Pistons will be without Jalen Duren, Tobias Harris and Caris LeVert.

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 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

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.

A year ago today, the Pistons began a five-game win streak. The Pistons beat the Orlando Magic 105 to 96 behind Jaden Ivey's 22 points. The win was also their

Detroit Pistons. They opened the calendar year with a five-game winning streak that pulled their record above .500 and launched them to their first playoff berth in six years. Cade Cunningham made his first All-Star game and All-NBA selection.

Detroit Pistons face growing concern as Jalen Duren exits with an ankle injury, adding uncertainty during a difficult stretch.

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.

In their first game back after their five-game west coast road trip, the Pistons couldn’t defend their home court as Norman Powell and the Miami Heat brought their physical brand of basketball to Detroit.

The Detroit Pistons are reportedly a team that could be interested in acquiring Brooklyn Nets forward Michael Porter Jr.