Detroit's victory over a Cavaliers team that owns the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference standings was especially impressive considering star point guard Cade Cunningham missed his third consecutive game with a bruised calf. After finishing with a league-worst 14-68 record last season, the Pistons have now tripled their prior win total.

Cade Cunningham’s sudden scratch on Sunday afternoon came as a shock to Detroit Pistons fans but didn’t seem to worry anybody. After all, the Pistons were facing an undermanned New Orleans Pelicans team that isn’t playing for any postseason seeding at this point in the year.

A spirited comeback attempt from Donovan Mitchell came just too little too late and the Pistons walked away with the 133-122 victory.

The Cleveland Cavaliers find themselves in familiar territory facing a Detroit Pistons team they’ve dominated consistently over the past two seasons. In the second night of back-to-back action, the Cavs should have confidence despite the absence of key rotation pieces.