3 Keys to Detroit Pistons reaching the Play-in tournament next season

The city of Detroit is on the rise and the Detroit Pistons are primed to have a breakthrough season. Now that the front office has done their work let’s focus on the next season.

It’s starting to feel like the NBA Play-in tournament could be in the Motor City as early as next season.

For those who need a quick refresher, the Play-in tournament, assuming they keep the same rules as last season, involves the teams that finished in 7th thru 10th places in their respective conferences. The No. 7 and No. 8 seeds for the NBA playoffs will come out of the tournament.

So, let’s take a in-depth look and see what is needed for a possible play in scenario.

Detroit Pistons defense leads to winning

I recall a game last season against the Boston Celtics, Jerami Grant  and Josh Jackson suffocated the Celtics perimeter players. Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum took a 96-93 loss back to Boston, courtesy of the home team. That night the all-star tandem combined for 4 for 18 from the three point line struggling to find their rhythm.

The Pistons were amongst the best in the league at protecting the three-point line. They ranked first in opponents attempts at 31.4 and second in the league in opponent’s field goals made at 11.3 from long distance.

That’s all hustle and grit to force guys off the line and challenge shots. Effort and intensity is something that will be mandatory moving forward from coach Dwane Casey. It also requires a high level of discipline, you have to contain driving lanes during the process. That’s where the room for growth is with this team.

Last season the franchise ranked 28th in points in the paint with opponents scoring 51.3 points per game. That’s not going to get cut it for a team looking to move up in the standings. There’s plenty to improve on in this area and with more continuity, and cohesion that should be achievable.

Defense is something that takes synchronized action and all players on the same page. Last year that was difficult, with a lot of players playing together for the first time. A constant change in lineups due to injuries didn’t help matters much either.

The Detroit Pistons ranked 10th in the league in points allowed, only allowing 111.1 points. They’ll want to maintain that while enhancing other areas on the floor. They also were 10th in opponents three-point percentage at 36.2 percent. Showing their ability to challenge shots effectively without fouling, a cardinal sin when competing against jump shooters.

If they can build off last year, and keep teams out of the paint, they have all the makings for a lock-down defensive unit. With size, length and athleticism at every position, I would be surprised for them not to be a force on that side of the ball.

Coach Casey has stated he wants his team to be top 10 in defense next year. That would help a push to make the Play-in.