The Detroit Pistons will hope to get over the hump in the 2026-27 season. After a 60-win season that disappointingly ended in the second round of the playoffs, the Pistons feel the pressure to go deeper in the postseason.
However, they will be facing a much tougher Eastern Conference this time around. For the first time in a very long time, the East may be stronger than the West. The Pistons have to be much better than they were last season just to replicate their success.
Despite the stronger East, the Pistons should feel good about their chances. They arguably still have the best player in the conference, Cade Cunningham. They have the benefit of continuity and a proven system. Other teams will have more question marks surrounding them, except for the reigning champs, the New York Knicks.
Let's take a look at the five teams that will challenge the Pistons the most on their way to the NBA Finals.
5. Boston Celtics
Brad Stevens and Joe Mazzulla have earned the benefit of the doubt, as the Celtics seem to always find a way to be a dominant regular-season team. Their playoff track record, however, took a big hit last season after losing to the Sixers in the first round.
Boston could easily be higher on this list if Jayson Tatum looks like his pre-injury self. Until he proves that he is an All-NBA first team caliber player again, there will be questions about the Celtics. Paul George is a downgrade over Jaylen Brown, especially in the playoffs. Mitchell Robinson should help their center issues, but the Celtics aren't as formidable as they have been.
4. Indiana Pacers
There are even bigger question marks here. Indiana's success will be highly dependent on how Tyrese Haliburton looks.
But let's not forget that the last time Haliburton was healthy, this team was playing a Game 7 in the NBA Finals. And they largely have the same team, except for a Myles Turner-Ivica Zubac swap. That could be considered an upgrade.
With a deep roster and an excellent head coach in Rick Carlisle, the Pacers should not be slept on.
3. Toronto Raptors
Assuming the Kawhi Leonard trade is finalized sooner rather than later, the Raptors have built one of the best rosters in the league. The frontcourt, consisting of Kawhi, Scottie Barnes, Collin Murray-Boyles, and Jakob Poeltl, is one of the best in the league. They are big, physical, and have a chance to be defensively elite.
There are some offensive concerns, as they may be light on shooting. But if Kawhi doesn't take a step back and can stay healthy in the playoffs, this team can beat anyone in the league.
2. Philadelphia 76ers
Philly may have the highest upside in the entire NBA. The Tyrese Maxey-VJ Edgecombe-Jaylen Brown-LeBron James-Joel Embiid five may be the best starting lineup in the league.
How much they will be able to play together, however, remains to be seen. It's difficult to trust any team that relies on Embiid's knees. But if they can keep him healthy and fresh for the later rounds of the playoffs, the Sixers could be a force to be reckoned with.
1. New York Knicks
Despite winning the title last season, the Knicks may be starting the season behind San Antonio and Oklahoma City in terms of championship odds. But no one comes close to them in the Eastern Conference.
The Knicks lost Mitchell Robinson, but are otherwise bringing back the same team from last season. Repeating as champions is harder than it has ever been in the NBA, but the Knicks will have all the confidence in the world. They present the toughest challenge to the Pistons among this group, to be sure, but the Knicks aren't an unbeatable team.
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