Detroit Pistons: 5 goals following 2019 NBA All-Star break

3. Defend better

If the Pistons aren’t going to make more shots, they can at least prevent their opponents from making so many shots.

Detroit actually defends the 3-pointer better than any team in the league. They are No. 1 in the NBA in fewest 3-pointers allowed (9.3 per game) and No. 1 in opponent 3-point percentage (33.2 percent).

One of their problems, however, is keeping those shooters in front of them when they decide to put the ball on the floor. Allowing blow-bys and surrendering layups is a big part of why the Pistons rank 25th in the league in opponent field goal percentage (47.1 percent) and 23rd in opponent free throw attempts. Detroit is sending its opponents to the line 24.4 times per game.

Maker has shown potential as impact defensive player, but otherwise the Pistons didn’t pick up any great defenders before the trade deadline. In fact, to get Maker they gave up small forward Stanley Johnson, their best wing defender.

Two-time All-Star center Andre Drummond is Detroit’s defensive lynchpin — he’s averaging a career-high 1.6 steals and close to a career-high 1.7 blocks per game — but he can’t turn away everyone who comes into the lane with a head of steam.

The rest of the Pistons simply need to buckle down and commit to getting stops.