2018-19 NBA season: Record predictions for every team

Detroit Pistons

After a full summer with the team, Blake Griffin is primed for an All-Star campaign. Barring injury, his presence alone will lift the Detroit Pistons into playoff contention. People are quick to forget his talent, and the improvement in the coaching department will only help.

It took Dwane Casey a while to perfect his system in Toronto, but once he did, the results were obvious. Their second-round loss to Cleveland was a disappointment, but the Raptors have finished at or near the top of the Eastern Conference for multiple seasons now. He’s a good coach.

Alongside Griffin, Andre Drummond gives Detroit one of the NBA’s most talented frontcourt duos. He’s an elite rebounder and improved rim protector, using his athleticism to alter shots at the rim. He also made expanding his offensive game a goal during the offseason.

In addition to the firepower up front, a healthy Reggie Jackson is a big boost to the Pistons’ offense. Detroit was 26-19 in the 45 games he played last season. As long as Jackson is on the court, the Pistons are a competitive team in a conference that lacks depth.

The Pistons’ supporting cast isn’t bad either. Luke Kennard is due for a second-year leap and Ish Smith is an effective spark plug off the bench. Reggie Bullock shot 44.5 percent from deep last season and Stanley Johnson is, at the very least, an impressive athlete.

Detroit just needs a healthy season. The talent and coaching is there, it’s just a matter of Drummond, Griffin and Jackson all staying on the floor. If that happens, fans should be confident in their playoff chances.

Final prediction: 41-41, No. 8 seed Eastern Conference