Detroit Pistons Prove Grit With Win Over Toronto Raptors
What a difference a few weeks can make for an NBA team. Mere week ago at the Palace of Auburn Hills the Detroit Pistons were blown out of their own building in a match-up against the Toronto Raptors. They predictably let another close game slip out of their grasps in the 3rd quarter.
Infamously a mini-brawl broke out after a hard foul by Andre Drummond. He was just put on the poster by James Johnson a few possessions before. It’s hard to blame Drummond during those time.
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On the way to a 5-23 start and getting blown out at home? All while the crowd was clearly pro-Raptors chanting “We The North”? Pistons fan were absent that game on the way to a 110-100 loss. The players looked even more out of it as the effort and hustle didn’t seem to be there.
Thing were clearly going against the hapless Pistons. Josh Smith was a wasted investment and Brandon Jennings struggled significantly on the floor. None of the Pistons seemed to care and it was almost a guarantee Greg Monroe was on his way out.
Flash forward a few weeks later and these Pistons are a completely new team with a new identity.
They’ve won 9 of 10 games and the hype following them has reached national attention. Not even Pistons fan could have expected such a turn around.
They sit an insignificant 2 games back of the 8th seed of the Eastern Conference playoffs. After such a hot run even die-hard pessimistic fans are expecting the playoffs.
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Defeating the 2nd best team in the East in the Toronto Raptors on their court is a huge win and only adds momentum to the Pistons improbable run. Make no mistake these Pistons are legit.
The way they fought back from a double-digit deficit on the road perfectly shows the change that has struck this team. Before they would lay down and give in to the slightest bit of trouble. Blowing leads and close games late was their trademark for the last half-decade.
Not anymore. They now have one of the best point differentials in the 2nd half. They’re suddenly better at finishing game than they are starting.
Down the stretch against the Raptors last night a few key plays took them over the top. Whether it was Jodie Meeks shot clock buzzer beater or Jonas Jerebko with back-to-back baskets these Pistons are finding a way to win.
It comes at the perfect time too. There’s still plenty of the season to be played and they have firmly entrenched themselves in the playoff conversation.
The win over the Raptors should make Pistons fans even more confident in this team. They refused to sit down and lose but instead fought back and won.
The Raptors are a legit team and the Pistons just beat said team. National media can’t deny them any longer.
Now, your thoughts. What do you think of the Pistons’ recent run? Love it? Hate it? Still want to tank? Whatever the case, these Detroit Pistons look like a revitalized team that has a new meaning to them.