Negative: Back-to-backs
Another disadvantage to the Pistons’ schedule is the amount of back-to-backs they have to play. Once again, the Pistons are above league average in amount of back-to-backs with 13 this season, one more than last year’s total. The league is moving away from back-to-backs with the league average now down to 12.4 for the 2019-20 season.
This could be to do with some other stats I’ll get into later, but basically the Pistons don’t travel as much on the road as others do in the league which might necessitate the higher number of back-to-backs. Although 13 is barely above league average so even the Pistons’ number here isn’t as alarming as it could be.
This year, while the back-to-backs are plentiful they are also front loaded, the first two games of the season are a back-to-back against Indiana and Atlanta with five total back-to-backs in the first 22 games. If the Pistons can make their annual early season hot start count, it’s possible they can use the “Did Not Play – Rest” option more often for Griffin to keep him in good health for the playoff run.