The Detroit Pistons are just as good on the road as they are at home, which is not true of any other playoff contender in the Eastern Conference.
The Pistons have currently played 10 games at home and 10 on the road, with one being a neutral matchup in Mexico City.
They have identical 8-2 records at home and away and easily have the [best road record in the Eastern Conference.](https://pistonpowered.com/detroit-pistons-stunning-start-has-shattered-preseason-predictions)
The Pistons are one of only three teams in the East that have a winning record at home along with the Raptors (7-5) and the Hawks (9-5), an advantage that should serve them well in the playoffs.
The Detroit Pistons love the road
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The Pistons often seem to play better on the road without any of the distractions that come with a home game.
The Pistons also thrive off being the villain and seem to relish being booed by the opposing crowd. They have a Detroit vs. Everybody mentality, so don’t care about being on the road.
This was the case last season, as the Pistons ended with identical 22-19 records at home and on the road.
That hasn’t been the case for several East contenders so far this season, as the Knicks (3-5) and Heat (4-5) have losing records away from home. You also have Orlando, Cleveland and Boston, who are all .500 on the road.
We saw this in last year’s playoffs when the Pistons were able to take two in the tough environment of Madison Square Garden but failed to win a playoff game at home, something they hope to change this season.
The Pistons’ road success shows a level of mental toughness, as it’s hard to beat any NBA team in their home gym, especially in close games when refs sometimes dish out hometown calls.
Given the playoff experience the Pistons got last season, this is not a group that is easily rattled, another quality that should serve them well as they attempt to make a deeper run in the playoffs this season.
Some of these Eastern Conference teams will get right on the road, but it’s an advantage the Pistons currently wield, as they have been equally good away from home and aren’t scared to go into any building in the world and compete.
A lot of this comes from Cade Cunningham, who exudes confidence and calm, especially late in games this season, as he has consistently stepped up, which gives his teammates confidence that they can go out and win any game.
The Pistons hope to have home-court advantage in the playoffs this season, but they’ve already shown they are just as comfortable on the road.