Pistons winning old-fashioned way, and it starts with defense

You wouldn’t be crazy to keep waiting for the Pistons to come back to earth. But the longer this goes, the harder it gets to argue it’s a fluke.

Detroit still owns the best record in the Eastern Conference (31-10). And the reason it keeps holding up is the same one that tends to travel, scale and age well in the NBA.

Defense.

“Those who don’t believe in the Pistons as true contenders have been waiting for shooting and shot-creation deficiencies to doom the East leaders,” ESPN’s Vincent Goodwill wrote. “Thanks to a hellacious defense, Detroit’s place among the elite remains safe.”

It’s not just good defense, either. It’s getting nastier.

According to Goodwill, the Pistons are allowing a league-low 99.5 points per 100 possessions this month, a full eight points better than second-place Oklahoma City. And when games tighten late, Detroit tightens more. In fourth quarters this month, opponents are scoring just 91.8 per 100 possessions.

That’s elite.

It also explains why Detroit keeps closing games, keeps surviving off nights, keeps answering doubts.

Credit J.B. Bickerstaff, who is firmly in the Coach of the Year conversation. Credit a roster that defends with size, effort and purpose. And credit a team that looks increasingly comfortable carrying the weight of expectations.