DETROIT — The Detroit Pistons have performed exceptionally well this season, leading many to believe the team can play until early- to mid-June. They have established themselves as Eastern Conference championship contenders, posting the league’s second-best record at 29-10.
Led by Cade Cunningham’s MVP candidacy, various factors have been crucial to the Pistons’ success. One often overlooked attribute has been the efficiency of Detroit’s offense. While Cunningham averages 26.7 points per game, the Pistons’ offense involves more than just the contributions of the All-NBA guard.
“It’s the makeup and the character of the guys,” coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. “Our guys have a clear idea of what Detroit Basketball is; it doesn’t matter who steps onto the floor for us. They go out and play Detroit Pistons Basketball. Because there is a clear understanding of what is expected on both sides of the ball, it becomes a plug-and-play. I give credit to Trajan (Langdon) and his staff for putting together a team of guys who fit the model and compete at a high level.”
As the league reaches the halfway point of the season, the Pistons have developed a top-10 offense. Detroit currently ranks ninth in offensive rating at 116.4 and is the No. 10 scoring team, averaging 117.8 points per game.
“In the half-court, we know who we can go to and who can get us a bucket; there’s ball movement and we trust each other on the offensive end,” Tobias Harris said. “There is a willingness from guy to guy who understands what it takes to make the right play, knowing it will always result in a good way for us. There’s trust. Guys stepping up, making shots and being aggressive.”
The Pistons’ ranking near the top of the league on the offensive end has been surprising, especially when considering their mediocre 3-point shooting.
The Pistons are one of four teams to rank in the bottom half of 3-point shooting while simultaneously producing a top-10 offensive rating — joining the Oklahoma City Thunder, Los Angeles Lakers and San Antonio Spurs. Detroit has a 3-point shooting percentage of 35.2%, ranking 18th; however, its success largely stems from its dominance inside.
“The continuity helps, guys are understanding their teammates and understanding what our objectives are and executing that,” Bickerstaff said. “We have been one of the best teams at dominating the painted area all year long. That has created our identity. It’s been about us being the aggressors. Us putting pressure on the rim. Us putting pressure on the paint, and that has triggered everything else for us.”
The Pistons are currently ranked second in paint points, averaging 57.5 per game. They are just behind the New Orleans Pelicans, who lead the league at 58.2.
Jalen Duren‘s All-Star-caliber performance this year has highlighted Detroit’s growing dominance. Over 31 games, Duren has averaged 17.9 points, leading the team in paint points with 13.4 per game, which also ranks fifth league-wide.
Similar to Cunningham, however, the Pistons’ inside scoring has not relied on a single player. Isaiah Stewart and Ausar Thompson are two players who do most of their offensive contributions inside, averaging 6.2 points and 8.5 points in the paint, respectively.
Stewart recently showcased his aerial wizardry by leading the Pistons to a 108-93 victory over the Chicago Bulls on Jan. 7. While starting in place of an injured Harris, Stewart posted a career-high of 31 points on 14 made field goals, a dozen of which came from the inside.
“We have unfortunately gone through a ton of injuries this season, but it has opened up doors and opportunities for other guys, and that’s the experience that you are going to need,” Bickerstaff said. “If you are looking to win at the level we want to win, you need to get contributions up and down your roster throughout an 82-game season, and our guys have shown they are capable of that.”
The Pistons’ offensive production has also reflected the team’s defense. They have registered the league’s second-best defense, with a rating of 109.7, while limiting their opponents to 111.2 points per game. Detroit’s ability to force turnovers has been vital to its offensive production, leading to an average of 17.3 giveaways per game.
The Pistons’ ability to create turnovers allows them to get out and run in transition, which has become a sign of their offensive power. They have averaged 21.6 points from their opponents’ turnovers, which aligns with the Pistons’ success on the fastbreak, where they have averaged 18.2 points.
“When you turn teams over, it gives you an opportunity to get out in transition, and we have guys who are elite in transition,” Bickerstaff said. “When you give our guys space, combined with their speed and athleticism and playmaking ability, it helps us create easier scoring opportunities. Our offense is triggered by our defense. Everything that we do starts with the way we defend people.”
There was a time when Detroit consistently ranked at the bottom of the league in every statistical category, which meant the franchise learned its fate in the NBA Draft Lottery by early June. Now, ranking among the top 10 in nearly every category this season shows that the Pistons are a legitimate team capable of competing for the Larry O’Brien Trophy.