Detroit Pistons: 3 takeaways from 8-3 start to the season
2. Back to the fundamentals of defense
The defense has always been the calling card of the best Detroit teams. The renewed focus on defense is refreshing and gives the Pistons a chance to win games they would not have won this time last year.
A good indicator of an "elite" team is one that has both a top 10 offense and a top 10 defense.
— Duncan Smith (@DuncanSmithNBA) November 9, 2017
The Detroit Pistons have the 9th best offensive rating and the 9th best defensive rating.
Rod Beard of the Detroit News wrote about the team’s defensive resurgence. Beard pointed out the Pistons’ defensive options extend to the bench and include being able to rely on Anthony Tolliver.
"“He went from not playing the first couple games to being their defensive savior off the bench. He’s known as primarily a 3-point shooter and solid defender, but he’s been more of a stopper and go-to guy against the likes of Kristaps Porzingis, Kevin Durant and Blake Griffin.”"
Forcing turnovers and capitalizing on them by scoring points is another vital piece to the Pistons’ defense. According to Brendan Welper of Piston Powered, the team is spreading the defensive muscle around.
"“Four Pistons are averaging at least one steal per game. Drummond is second to only Kyrie Irving in terms of total steals this year. The big man is already at 21.”"
In the win over the Golden State Warriors, the Pistons held the team to 97 points. They controlled the boards and wrecked havoc on the Warriors when they tried to shoot from behind the 3-point arc. The defending champions took 27 3-pointers during the game, but only 10 of those attempts converted to points.