The Detroit Pistons beat the Orlando Magic in the second of two games in Orlando.
The Pistons are still 1.5 games “ahead” of the Cleveland Cavaliers for last place in the Eastern Conference after the Cavs also won against the Atlanta Hawks, snapping a ten-game losing streak.
There have been some positive and negative trends emerging over the last several games that are worth watching as the season progresses.
Let’s start with the negative before we get to the positives.
Detroit Pistons: The Pistons need 3-point shooters
The Detroit Pistons have shot poorly from long range all season with the exception of Jerami Grant and rookie Saddiq Bey.
It’s gotten even worse over the last few games, as the Pistons have been threatening to break the backboard with their bricks.
Over the last four games, the Pistons have shot a staggering 147 3-point shots and only made 42 of them for a pathetic 28.5 percent. Yikes.
Something has to change here, as the Pistons are launching as many 3-pointers as the peak Houston Rockets but making a percentage that is starting to make me wonder if I should try out for the team, as I couldn’t be much worse.
Josh Jackson has missed all ten of his long-range attempts in the last two games, Svi Mykhailiuk hasn’t been able to buy one all season and even the normally steady Grant and Bey seem to have caught the brick-itus.
The Detroit Pistons have dropped to 26th in the NBA in 3-point percentage, only ahead of fellow bottom feeders Oklahoma City, Washington, Cleveland and Houston.
This will be something the Pistons need to address in the offseason, as it is difficult to compete in the modern NBA If you can’t shoot 3-pointers.
Detroit Pistons: The Defense is getting better
While the Pistons’ shooting continues to get worse, their defense is actually improving.
They’ve been very good over the last four games, holding their opponents to 102, 109, 96 and 93 points.
This is something to build around, as defense can win games, as it did last night against the Magic.
Lets face it, this started when Derrick Rose and Blake Griffin were removed from the lineup, as both veterans are 5-steps slower than they used to be and weren’t getting it done on the defensive end, particularly Griffin.
With a younger and more athletic lineup, the Pistons have been getting after it defensively, increasing their steals and blocks and raising their overall all defensive rating to 17th in the NBA.
Of the top-17 defensive teams in the NBA, all but five of them (which includes Detroit) would be in the playoffs if the season ended today.
This is not a coincidence, as nearly every team can put up big offensive numbers in the modern NBA, so it often comes down to who can get a stop.
The Detroit Pistons are slowly climbing up the defensive ranks and look to have a long, athletic and switchable squad that could eventually be a top-ten defense in the NBA.
That is how you rebuild.
Scoring comes and goes but defense can be there for you night after night.
Detroit Pistons: Battle of the young point guards
I wrote about how one of the most interesting subplots with Delon Wright out with injury is which of the young point guards would step up to seize the opportunity.
So far the answer has been Saben Lee, who had his two best games as a professional since getting increased minutes.
He was great last night against Orlando and the game seems to change completely when he enters it.
Lee filled up the stat sheet once again, notching 21 points, four assists, three rebounds and two steals while making all three of his 3-point attempts.
Increasing his shooting range is one thing that Saben Lee needs to work on as the season progresses, so it was nice to see him drain a few from deep.
Dennis Smith Jr. also had a good game, scoring 14 points in 18 minutes and adding a couple of blocks and a steal.
Smith Jr. has not shot the ball well this season (or any season really) but he has the tools to be a plus defender, which is probably how he can make a team next season off someone’s bench.
Frank Jackson only played 12 minutes but also had positive contributions.
So far the Lee has pulled ahead in the point guard competition and this should be fun to watch until Delon Wright comes back and takes his starting role.
The Detroit Pistons are trending the right direction in some areas while getting worse in others, which will be something to keep an eye on as the first half comes to a close.