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Detroit Pistons: Three keys to Monday’s game against Cleveland

By Jeffrey MacCowan

DETROIT, MI - OCTOBER 25: Blake Griffin #23 of the Detroit Pistons rebounds the ball against the Cleveland Cavaliers on October 25, 2018 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - OCTOBER 25: Blake Griffin #23 of the Detroit Pistons rebounds the ball against the Cleveland Cavaliers on October 25, 2018 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The Detroit Pistons host the Cleveland Cavaliers Monday night at Little Caesars Arena. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. local time on Fox Sports Detroit. Here are three keys to a Pistons’ victory.

1. Limiting turnovers

This season, the Detroit Pistons are averaging 15.0 turnovers per game according to NBA.com. They rank 15th in the NBA in this category.

Are you seeing a trend yet?

The Pistons will need to start taking care of the ball better on offense if they wish to continue winning. On the flip side, they rank 24th in steals per game (6.7) and 28th in blocks per game (4.0).

This leads to my next point.

2. Defensive efficiency

Detroit’s plus/minus is in the bottom half of the NBA this season as well, ranking 18th overall. While the Pistons fall in the bottom-half of most defensive categories so far this season, they do rank dead last in personal fouls per game with an average of 24.6.

While they struggle on defense, they have no trouble rebounding the ball on either end of the floor Detroit is second in the NBA in offensive rebounds per game and tenth in defensive rebounds per game.

3. Outside shooting

Perimeter shooting has been one of the biggest struggles for the Detroit Pistons this season. Tonight they will look to change that against a sub-par Cavaliers defense as they get in rhythm.

Last week, site expert, Brenden Welper wrote an article on the Pistons’ 3-point attempts and how they should be addressed. The Pistons are dead last in 3-point shooting percentage this season, averaging 31.3 percent on 34.8 attempts per game.

dark. Next. What's your confidence level with the Pistons?

Their leader in this category is Blake Griffin, who also leads them in points per game (24.5) this season as well.

He is shooting 36.4 percent from behind the arc this season.

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