2019-2020 NBA Previews – Pistons Odds
Looking for 2019 Detroit Pistons Predictions? Although Blake Griffin reminded fans why he was once considered a top tier talent there simply wasn’t enough talent around him. He limped into the postseason where the Pistons were swept by the Bucks.
This year the brain trust has two major decisions: should they continue the Griffin – Drummond experiment and is Reggie Jackson capable of running a starting unit. Although the East offers an easier route to the playoffs Detroit looks more likely to be lottery-bound than gaining back-to-back playoff berths.
Detroit Pistons Season Preview
Head Coach: Dwane Casey
2018-19 Record: 41-41
Pistons Odds to NBA Title: +17500
Pistons Odds to Win Conference: +800
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Players Who Have Left
- Reggie Bullock
- Glenn Robinson
- Wayne Ellington
- Henry Ellenson
- Jon Leuer
- Ish Smith
- Jose Calderon
- Zaza Pachulia
Players Who Have Arrived
- Markieff Morris
- Derrick Rose
- Tony Snell
- Christian Wood (non-partial guaranteed contract)
- Joe Johnson (non-partial guaranteed contract)
- Sekou Doumbouya (rookie)
- Deividas Sirvydis (rookie)
- Jordan Bone (rookie)
Detroit Pistons Strengths:
Drummond’s Rebounding:
Andre Drummond led the league in 2018-19 in offensive rebounding (5.4 per game) and total rebounds (15. 6) and was third in defensive rebounds (10.2). Although his scoring and positioning hasn’t equated to the perfect partnership with Blake Griffin those rebounds helped a struggling offense. In particular, his offensive rebounds led to second-chance shooting opportunities for the 21st ranked offense.
Even with those extra shots the Pistons still only managed to rank 15th in second-chance scoring. Perhaps with the addition of vets Derrick Rose and iso-Joe Johnson’s new found perimeter scoring effectiveness they’ll translate those shots into buckets this season.
All-Star Griffin:
Despite the lack of secondary offensive weapons, Blake Griffin reminded everyone of his full toolbox skillset. The power forward recorded career bests in scoring (24.5 points) as well as perimeter attempts (7.0) and makes (2.5) on 36.2 percent efficiency.
As clubs seek power forwards who can stretch the floor or initiate offense it’s hard not to cite Griffin as the perfect example. Now, if only he could stay healthy.
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Potential future salary flexibility:
This coming offseason the Pistons have three players who can opt into their final contract years. Of those two were added this summer (Tony Snell and Markieff Morris). The big hit will be Andre Drummond who is slated to earn $27,093,018 this year and $28,751,774 if he opts in for 2020-21. Aside from those contracts, the Pistons have three contracts they can opt into, four commitments and one qualifying offer (Thon Maker) on the books.
Detroit Pistons Weaknesses:
Blake Griffin’s injury history:
In each of the previous four seasons, Blake Griffin hadn’t played more than 67 games. In 2018-19 he appeared in 75 games posting an average of 35.0 minutes per game (his most since 2013-14). Griffin had offseason surgery on his already troublesome knee, so the Pistons will hold their breath this season hoping he can replicate last season’s game totals. That said, if there was ever a candidate for load management, it’s Griffin.
Coach Casey – regular season coach:
Casey’s history speaks to running his stars into the ground in the regular season. Casey played Kyle Lowry the second and third most minutes in 2016-17 and third 2015-16 with fatigue catching up to him in the postseason.
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In fairness to the bench boss, he needed every minute he got out of Griffin just to gain the playoff berth. But like Lowry, it cost the Pistons in the postseason when Griffin had nothing left in the tank.
My running theory is Casey has performance bonuses in his contract tied to win totals and playoff berths. Why else would he risk injury to his players?
Detroit Pistons Betting Prediction: 36-46
Oddsmakers predict an over/under of 38.0 wins. The Pistons did precious little to upgrade their roster or at least the additions didn’t raise the bar much.
Although their defense could keep them in games relying on Griffin to stay healthy along with vets Rose and Johnson to push the Pistons over the top is too much of a gamble even in the easier Eastern Conference.
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