All the skeptics who thought the Pistons’ defense would suffer with the new revamped offense can sit down. Quite the opposite has been true. While they score more, their stifling defense is still present, especially when it comes to crucial moments in games.
Although they may not be first or second in points allowed, they only allow 90.8 points per game while averaging nearly 99 points per game. And this is all true despite the fact that Flip Saunders has yet to implement the entire playbook of his.
Now they could rank in the top two in points allowed, but consider the fact that with the new offense the Pistons are running, the opposition will get more spots than they did last year. Many people don’t realize that. Just as they have for the past two years, the Piston defense remains their bread and butter. It’s still how they win games. Not getting over people. So don’t be fooled by the new offense and expect them to score 100 points every night.
They still realize this is still a defensive team just with a little more offensive freedom. Combined with a good offense, the defense shows no signs of slowing down, and it is clearly a recipe for success as they have shown all season. Will they win 70 games? I doubt it, but that’s another story.