Detroit Pistons: 2 offensive keys vs. the Memphis Grizzlies

Detroit Pistons: Off-ball movement will be key to avoiding a stagnant offense

When Detroit’s offense was firing on all cylinders against the Spurs, the team was playing with pace and off-ball motion.

In the first quarter, the Pistons quickly got into transition offense. This gave them plenty of odd-man advantages against the Spurs who were not quick in transition defense early on in the game. Detroit’s offense was also using a lot of off-ball movement. Players were moving off screens to get open, and as a result, the team was afforded a lot of open looks at the basket.

The first quarter against the Spurs is a perfect example of what Detroit’s offense can do when they are moving for each other and playing with pace. The second quarter showed what happens to Detroit’s offense when that energy simply is not there.

When off-ball movement and pace were lacking, the ball began to stick to players’ hands and too often they settled for poor shot selection.

It is hard to envision Detroit’s offense keeping the energy at an 11 like they were in the first quarter against the Spurs. Games are too long, and that kind of energy just cannot be sustained. But the team cannot afford to fall into a trend of low-energy basketball heading into the regular season.

Against the Grizzlies, look for off-ball movement. Detroit should look to utilize more off-ball screens. Ball-movement will open Detroit’s offense a lot. Keeping the ball in motion will keep players engaged with the offense at all times. This movement will also result in more open looks like Detroit saw early against the Spurs.

More ball movement will open up Detroit’s offense, but when the team inevitably hits lulls in pace and movement, it is going to be important for the team to take advantage of their high-energy guys.