Detroit Pistons: 3 takeaways from 2017-18 season opener

1. Together, the Pistons can do this

As the final seconds in the Detroit Pistons’ win in their new arena ticked off the clock, Andre Drummond and Reggie Jackson embraced at mid-court to celebrate the win.

For maybe the first time in the dynamic duo’s tenure in Detroit, it became clear that they finally had some help in Detroit.

Per Vince Ellis, Drummond talked about the moment and the win after the game.

"“It was just an emotional moment for myself and him,” Drummond said in the home locker room. “Just to have him back is exciting for me … It’s good to have him back.”"

The dynamic duo received help from everyone in the win against the Hornets. While Stanley Johnson was 0-for-13 from the field, he added two points, four rebounds and one assist, along with swarming defense that the Hornets couldn’t escape.

According to NBA.com, Van Gundy discussed what it meant to have the team and particularly Stanley Johnson functioning so well defensively for opening night.

"“I thought [Stanley Johnson] had some good defensive plays. He had four steals, clearly not the shooting night that he would probably hope to have. We hit one stretch there with the second unit in the second half where we were up like 18, I thought five straight times we got good shots and couldn’t make anything. It was a tough night shooting the ball. They are a good defensive team and we struggled, but we got enough contributions from enough people to end up okay.”"

Avery Bradley delivered exactly as planned with 15 points on 7-of-10 shooting. The defensive-minded veteran the Pistons acquired from Boston has grown on his teammates. Bradley’s chippy, defensive attitude is contagious. As long as the Pistons keep that attitude this season, they’ll find themselves with more chances to win than they do to lose.

Next: 2017-18 Week 1 NBA Power Rankings

The Pistons face the Washington Wizards on the road Friday to try to improve to 2-0.