Pistons look to get back on track against the Suns

The Detroit Pistons remain home Sunday night against the Phoenix Suns at 4:30 P.M. E.T.

Over the past week, the Pistons have gone winless in three games against the Cavs, Jazz, and Raptors. As those three losses have set Detroit back in the standings and out of eighth place, the Pistons look to turn the corner fighting for a playoff position starting with the Suns.

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With Phoenix and the seven games after, Detroit’s road is much easier compared to last week’s.

Next up (after Phoenix) is Brooklyn, Chicago, Orlando, New York, Miami, Brooklyn, and then Milwaukee.

From a general point of view, Detroit could easily win the next eight if they play with energy and a purpose. Though, that’s not always the case.

Starting with the game Sunday against the Suns, Detroit looks to avenge Phoenix for a loss from the beginning of the year in November. Phoenix was the one of the first Detroit losses that ultimately shocked Piston fans and hinted the overall demise and mediocrity of the team.

But Detroit’s a different team since that November 9th game. Not only does Detroit play with the same identity as they had with Ish Smith’s fast-pace, push-the-ball offense, but they also have a Reggie Jackson pick-n-roll offense that seems to be coming together as of late.

That plus improved play from the bench, most noticeably Stanley Johnson, and Detroit’s a solid team with their only struggles being energy and effort on a per-game basis.

Those struggles alone have been the major difference in why Detroit’s fighting for eighth and not fifth or lower as expected from the beginning of the season.

Still, we, Pistons fans, know what this team was and is capable of and understand they legit COULD have been a team that competed for a top five position in the East. Though, that just hasn’t been the case for the season.

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Fortunately, as long as Detroit can get back on track and play good basketball, basketball with energy, defense, and ball movement, they can win the next eight and enter the playoffs seeded eighth or lower. Then, Detroit, with the playoffs, can have a fresh start and compete as they had last year; hopefully winning a game or two or even a series.

And it all starts Sunday night against the Phoenix Suns as the Palace at 4:30 P.M. E.T.