After an encouraging five-game winning streak, the Detroit Pistons are back on the losing column. They have now dropped three-straight, while also allowing 118 points in each of the last two.
In Monday night's 118-103 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans, the team's defensive effort hit one of its lowest points of the season. Along with giving up 14 3-pointers and 31 assists, three players from the opposition were also able to tally a double-double — Anthony Davis, Jrue Holiday, and Nikola Mirotic.
Such unflattering defensive numbers became acted as a sequel to their already horrid showing from the two previous outings, where they allowed 12 different players to reach double-figures against the L.A. Clippers and Atlanta Hawks.
The Pistons' All-Star center, Andre Drummond, is chipping in his usual numbers in the skid (16.7 points, 17.7 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks per game). Despite that, though, he understands that he and his teammates are lacking in focus and energy.
“You know I just think we need to get back to getting back on defense. I think we allowed – including myself – our frustrations in missing shots and different things going on throughout the game to really get away from our defense. [defense] is kinda where we anchor ourselves on. If we don't get stops on defense, it's not going to translate on offense. As soon as we get better with that, we'd start winning games.”
With a 27-29 record, the Pistons are ninth in the Eastern Conference playoff picture. They are three games behind the eighth-seeded Miami Heat.
The next five games will be a good way to test if they are a team that can respond to adversity, as four of those contests include a playoff team in their conference.
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