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Three keys to tonight’s game. Detroit Pistons versus Golden State Warriors

By Martin Mansour

DETROIT, MI - DECEMBER 08: Kevin Durant #35 of the Golden State Warriors tries to get around the defense of Reggie Jackson #1 and Stanley Johnson #7 of the Detroit Pistons during the second half at Little Caesars Arena on December 8, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. Golden State won the game 102-98. 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. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - DECEMBER 08: Kevin Durant #35 of the Golden State Warriors tries to get around the defense of Reggie Jackson #1 and Stanley Johnson #7 of the Detroit Pistons during the second half at Little Caesars Arena on December 8, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. Golden State won the game 102-98. 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. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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The Detroit Pistons take on the Golden State Warriors Sunday night in Oakland in a second game of a back to back.

The Detroit Pistons come off a disappointing loss to the Portland Trailblazers Saturday night. They absolutely let the game go in the last 3 minutes of the fourth. Portland took advantage and stole the game away from the Pistons.

They struggled to get to the free throw line. A couple more attempts could have flipped the game’s outcome.

The Warriors on the other hand got absolutely demolished by Luka Doncic, Dirk Nowitzki and the Dallas Mavericks Saturday night.Their worst loss of the season where they were blown out by 35 points. The Warriors were without the best shooter of all time in Steph Curry.

Both teams are going to look to bounce back after their losses. Here are three keys to the game.

  1. The Pistons need to control the glass. They were out rebounded against the Blazers 42 to 29. Other than Andre Drummond, the Pistons as a team struggled to rebound the basketball. Blake Griffin had 3 rebounds against Portland. He has to help Drummond on the glass. Teams have sent 3 and sometimes 4 guys to rebound against Drummond. The Pistons as a team rank 22nd in the league in rebounding per game. They grab 45.1 rebounds per game and 15.4 of them come from Drummond alone. If they control the rebounds, they will control the amount of shot attempts for the Warriors.
  2. Limit team turnovers and force Warriors turnovers. We’ve seen in the past the only way to beat the Warriors is forcing them to turn the ball over. The Warriors love to play a quick and fancy style of basketball. The Pistons could spoil their night by playing up close and in your face style of defense that could pressure the Warriors into arrant passes. The Pistons also need to take care of the ball. A lead that is 12 could easily be a tie game in two minutes with some sloppy turnovers.
  3. Make other Warriors beat you. We know Steph Curry, Kevin Durant, and Klay Thompson are highly skilled offensive players. But forcing them to pass the ball to their role players could be the key to success. The Warriors will be without DeMarcus Cousins. Draymond Green isn’t a great offensive player. He is shooting 43.8 percent from the field and 27.3 percent from three. So forcing him and some of the Warriors bench players to shoot the ball will be the best strategy for the Pistons.

If the Pistons follow these keys to the game, there is a good chance they win tonight’s game.

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