Detroit Pistons Find Groove, Pushes Win Streak To 4
By Mike Dallas
The Detroit Pistons have looked like a new team since releasing Josh Smith back in December. They have won four straight games, all by double digits, including their recent 97-81 thrashing over the Knicks Friday night.
During the past four games, Detroit is averaging 107 points per game while holding opponents to just 89 points per game. They have also found their shooting stroke. Over the past four games, Detroit has shot 43 percent from three-point land, including a franchise record 17 makes against the Cavs, December 28th. The ball movement has been crisp – -23 assist per game–and their turnovers – -12 per game– have been down.
More from Detroit Pistons
- This Pistons Team Could be the Worst in Detroit Sports History
- Could the Pistons Have the Longest Losing Streak in NBA History?
- What Ausar Thompson and Bill Walton Already Have in Common
- WATCH: Awesome Alley-Oop From Pistons’ Rookies Showcases Exciting Future
- 3 Michigan Sportsbook Promos You Can’t Afford to Miss (Unlock Over $2,400!)
Everybody seems to have bought into what Van Gundy’s system and have been playing with confidence and like a legitimate NBA team.
Perhaps the biggest improvement during the streak has been the improved play of Andre Drummond, who’s averaging 15 points, 16 rebounds, and 2.5 blocks, while shooting 65 percent from the floor.
The only downfall for Detroit during this time has been their poor free throw numbers. Over the past four games Detroit has done an okay job at getting to the line, but has been terrible at converting, shooting a miserable 52 percent from the free-throw line.
At 9-23, the Pistons are and 13th in the Eastern Conference standings, sitting just 4 ½ games out of eight place. If they continue this level of play, the playoffs are certainly attainable, but don’t get too excited, they still have a long way to go.
Besides, after setting a franchise record for consecutive losses earlier this season, there’s reason for Pistons fans to at least smirk during this winning streak and hope for the playoffs.
“We’re just playing with more energy, we’re playing harder, a little bit more inspired, a little bit better together – – I mean, everything’s been a little bit better, everything.” Van Gundy said on MLive.com
Despite their crisp play, the schedule only gets tougher. Their next six games are at home against the Kings; on the road against the defending champion Spurs, then at Dallas. They come back home to play Atlanta and Brooklyn and go back on the road to play Toronto.
“The schedule does get really difficult,” Van Gundy said on MLive.com. “I think it’s sustainable that we continue to play better basketball, though. And what the means, in terms of results, that has a lot to do with how the other team plays, too. So, we’ll see what happens. But yeah, it’s sustainable to play good basketball.”
Coming out of that six game stretch with at least four wins, would be a huge plus for the team and could close the 4 1/2 gap between them and the current 8th place Miami Heat.
Fun fact: The Pistons four straight wins by 10 or more points, marks the first time the team has accomplished that feat since 2007.