Previewing the 76ers versus Pistons matchup
By Matthew Way
The Detroit Pistons return home to play the Philadelphia 76ers. The Pistons look to improve on their 2-1 record versus the 0-3 76ers.
Through three games, the Detroit Pistons look like a different team than they did a year ago. The additions of Stanley Johnson and Avery Bradley into the starting lineup have brought a new energy to a team that often looked lethargic during the 2016-17 season.
Stan Van Gundy noted the change after the Pistons Saturday night comeback win over the New York Knicks.
"“I think that anybody watching us can see a difference from what they had seen a year ago in terms of the spirit and the energy and the fight,” Van Gundy said. “I don’t think there’s any doubt about that.”"
The result of the improved spirit and energy can immediately be seen on the offensive end of the floor, where the Pistons, through three games, have improved their offensive rating by a full four points from where it was a season ago.
Tobias Harris has led the offensive surge for the Pistons. Harris has averaged 24.3 points through the first three games on impressive efficiency, good enough for a top 20 ranking in the league.
Detroit and Harris look to continue that trend against a 76ers team that is desperate for a win. Philadelphia lost their first three games of the season, playing a brutal stretch against the Wizards, Celtics, and Raptors.
Where the Pistons have seen an improvement offensively, Philadelphia has continued to struggle to score in the same way that they have in recent seasons. Through three games, the 76ers have an offensive rating of only 94.0, the third worst rating in the league.
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Look for the Pistons to continue to be aggressive against the struggling Philadelphia offense. The Pistons have been noticeably more aggressive in defending pick-and-roll plays as well as in their subsequent defensive rotations. As a result of the more aggressive defensive style, Detroit is fourth in the league thus far in steals at 10.3 per game. That trend should continue tonight against a 76ers team who has turned the ball over 18 times per game through three games.