With only 25 games remaining, the Detroit Pistons seem to have a lot on their favor to make the Playoffs. Their destiny is on their own hands.
The 2018/2019 NBA season in coming to an end. Now every team is doing what’s best for them, and the Detroit Pistons are mainly focused in one thing: making a successful playoff push.
There are several reasons that can make us believe this can actually happen, but let’s take a closer look at 5 of them and why the Pistons are the architects of their destiny.
The Schedule
Hypothetically, the Pistons have an easier schedule than the other teams on the playoff race, playing only 11 games against teams above the .500 mark.
Now, they have to live up to that and win outside Little Caesar’s Arena because 15 games are going to be played as visitors (9-17 record outside home) including some tough and pivotal ones like Miami (twice and only half a game behind Detroit), San Antonio, Brooklyn, Portland, Golden State, Denver, Indiana and Oklahoma City.
The Team
Over the last 10 games, the Pistons are 6-4 , and more importantly they’ve been playing pretty good basketball.
If we could remove the breakdown against the Clippers and the defensively ugly 3rd quarter of the Celtics game, we might actually find a pretty good team, in an 8-0 winning streak, shooting the ball nicely, playing together and playing above average defense.
According to Keith Langlois, Blake Griffin mentioned that his team has hit their stride right before the All-Star break, and I strongly believe they have.
The Big Three
Reggie Jackson, Andre Drummond and Blake have been outstanding for the last couple of weeks, hitting what I believe is their best basketball of the season. Griffin, our beloved star; is averaging 26-8-5 which is no surprise any longer.
Then we have Andre with 17 points and 15 rebounds a game, giving the impression of becoming a force in the defensive end, averaging almost two blocks and two steals per game.
And finally Reggie, who has found himself shooting the ball pretty well, shooting almost 40 percent from the three and from the field. I’m pretty convinced that the Jackson we used to love as fans of this team is back.
Last night’s game was a convincing proof of it and, if they stay healthy, I don’t see the Pistons missing the Playoffs.
The supporting cast
Ish Smith, Luke Kennard, Langston Galloway, Zaza Pachulia, Thon Maker, Wayne Ellington, Bruce Brown, Jose Calderon and even Glenn Robinson III and Jon Leuer have been playing with great intensity, and hunger of winning games.
Yes, Wayne seem to be finding his shooting form, and he’ll get to the “shooters promised land” eventually. As I’ve said it before, PATIENCE is the key word for this team. Don’t you believe me? Take a look at last night game.
UPDATE: I love Maker’s intensity and confidence.
The Fans
Yeah, you just read that. Believe it or not, most of us (real Detroit Pistons fans), are supporting and cheering for the team we love. LCA is not anymore a cemetery, in fact it has left the bottom 5 of the least crowded arenas of the NBA.
I mean, we aren’t what we were in 04/05/06 but I can sense the people have a connection with the team and really want them to make the Playoffs. I don’t know if it’s a Blake thing or Drummond or Casey, but one of the main reasons of it I believe is the good present and the bright future (by faith) we have on Ed Stefansky and this team.
The Detroit Pistons WILL make the Playoffs and in a higher seed than just the 8th spot.
But if it’s going to happen these five things mentioned need to come together; most importantly the team needs to play with a sense of urgency.
It starts here, and last night’s game against the Atlanta Hawks could set the tone for the rest of the season.