NBA

Detroit Pistons to Defend Home Court vs LAC

The Detroit Pistons will try to remain unbeaten at home, as they welcome a 3-0 road team, the LA Clippers to the Palace in Auburn Hills.

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The Detroit Pistons will defend home court against the LA Clippers.
The Detroit Pistons will defend home court against the LA Clippers.

The Detroit Pistons (4-2) will clash with the visiting Los Angeles Clippers (5-1) in a battle of two unbeaten standings. The Pistons are one of six teams left with a perfect home record, while the LA Clippers number among the five teams that are undefeated on the road. Both teams are coming off two days preparation for the upcoming matchup at the Palace of Auburn Hills.

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Prior to hosting the LA Clippers, the Detroit Pistons routed the Denver Nuggets 103-86. After tallying just 15 points and 19 rebounds in their last two games, Pistons franchise player Andre Drummond came out with 19 points, 20 rebounds and 3 blocks. Drummond now stands alone as the NBA’s top rebounder with 14.7 rpg, after briefly sharing the spot with the Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside. His 1.5 blocks per game also ties Drummond with three other players for 17th overall.

Along with Andre Drummond, five Detroit Pistons players are averaging in double figures. They are led in scoring by sixth-year small forward Tobias Harris, who was acquired by the Detroit Pistons in a trade midway through last season, is averaging a career high 18.3 ppg. Power forward Marcus Morris, another player coming via trade, is second with 17.5 ppg.

Head coach and president of basketball operations Stan Van Gundy, has highlighted Detroit's strengths.
Stan Van Gundy has highlighted Detroit’s strengths.

Head coach and president of basketball operations Stan Van Gundy snagged these two deals after relationships with their former teams turned sour. The Pistons may not have big-name superstars on their roster, save for Andre Drummond, but they have been improving incrementally under Van Gundy’s guidance.

As the majority of teams shifted to playing with three-pointer, Van Gundy has wisely molded Detroit into a slow-paced, defensive minded-team. The Detroit Pistons are second-to-the-last in three-point field goals attempted at 19.8 per game.

The Pistons are one of the top teams on in defense, allowing just 93.0 points from their opponents, second in the NBA. They are third overall in opponent’s field goal percentage as well, limiting teams to 41.0% shooting.

The Clippers aim to remain unbeaten on the road.
The Clippers aim to remain unbeaten on the road.

The LA Clippers represent a team that shares similar philosophies with Detroit. They also shoot the three in low numbers, 18th overall with 24 attempts per game. The Clippers are no. 1 in opponents points, 90.7 ppg, as well as second overall in opponent’s field goal percentage (40.9%).