PREVIEW: The Detroit Pistons bring a league-leading defensive intensity that forces turnovers at an elite rate while excelling at defending shots attacking the rim, rankings that underscore their positioning atop the Eastern Conference with a 37-12 record. Meanwhile, the Washington Wizards struggle defensively, allowing high-quality three-point opportunities and surrendering numerous rim attacks, weaknesses that have contributed to their 13-36 record and 8-20 conference mark. Detroit's offensive approach emphasizes attacking the rim at a high frequency and posting up regularly, though their efficiency on those rim attempts ranks near the bottom of the league. Washington counters with one of the fastest paces in basketball, averaging over 102.6 possessions per game, which transforms every matchup into a track meet that can unexpectedly favor underdogs. The Pistons have dominated their last ten games with an 8-2 record while averaging 117.0 points and shooting 47.9 percent from the field, whereas the Wizards have stumbled to 3-7 while allowing 118.1 points per contest. Detroit's dominance against Eastern Conference opponents, posting a 23-6 mark, stands in stark contrast to Washington's struggling 8-20 conference record. The Wizards will need to protect the basketball, as they average 15.2 turnovers per game but have shown they can be competitive when they limit giveaways. The Pistons enter riding a three-game winning streak that includes impressive road and home victories, building momentum heading into this matchup at Little Caesars Arena.