Detroit Pistons: 3 keys to making the 2019 NBA Playoffs

3. Keep Blake Griffin fresh

The team had the opportunity at the deadline to add another major threat alongside its All-Star power forward, but opted not to do that by adding pieces to fill out their bench. Griffin has missed just two games so far this year, but there is no guarantee he is able to keep that up with the incredible workload that he handles on a nightly basis. He’s averaging a whopping 36.3 minutes per game, and he’s the team’s lone major offensive threat.

In order for teams to compete at the highest levels, they normally need to have at least two power players. The Pistons don’t have that luxury, and they need to bring along their role players to make up for that lack of star power. They added another shooter at the deadline to help space the floor for Griffin, Andre Drummond and Reggie Jackson. After the deadline, they were able to add former Miami Heat shooting guard Wayne Ellington on the buyout market.

Head coach Dwayne Casey needs to find the right lineups where the team doesn’t get completely annihilated with Griffin on the bench. When the playoffs come, Griffin is going to be playing a lot, and Detroit needs him to be at his best when that time comes. If the Pistons wear him out during the regular season, they’ll miss the playoffs altogether or be swept in a hurry.