Road sweep demonstrates Pistons’ rapid improvement

Atlanta — It seems that things are finally starting to sink in. The Pistons are playing like many thought they would at the beginning of the season and looking like not only a playoff team, but one that could win a first-round series.

It’s taken almost a quarter of the season, but they’re now back above .500 and playing their best basketball of the season, coming off a three-game sweep of the eastern road trip, with victories over three other likely playoff teams: Charlotte, Boston and Atlanta.

And they’ve essentially done it without two of their best players from last season. Reggie Jackson is nearing a return from a tendinitis issue that has kept him out of the lineup since early in the preseason, and they’ve gotten very little production from Stanley Johnson, who was projected to be one of their most improved players after a good rookie season.

The Pistons’ 1-8 road start was a head-scratcher, about as much as their road success in the past week has been. Looking further back, they also had a win over the Clippers at The Palace before a loss at the Thunder before the streak. Given the caliber of competition, they’re playing their best at the toughest point of the schedule so far.

“It’s incredible. We’ve played really well; if you come and play like that, you’re going to have a chance every night,” coach Stan Van Gundy said after Friday’s win. “We were 1-8 on the road and then to win three in a row against three teams ahead of you in the standings, all over .500, on the road, in four days, that’s a pretty good trip.

“Now, the challenge is don’t get full of ourselves and go home and play really well on Sunday (against the Magic).”

Ish Smith and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope have raised their games significantly and players and coaches are lauding the improved defensive effort, which is creating transition opportunities.

In the last three games, the Pistons have set or tied a season high for points in comfortable wins. In two of those matchups, they’ve also had season highs for 3-pointers.

“Our ball movement has been good and something we’ve been stressing is to shoot the ball. Before, we had guys not ready to shoot, not stepping into shots, hesitating and passing up good shots,” Van Gundy said. “It’s hard when you play good defensive teams — which we’ve played all week — to generate two good shots in a possession, so if you pass one up, we’re in trouble.

“We’ve been talking about not forcing shots, but when you’re open and the ball comes out, shoot the ball. We’ve shot it very well and that always makes a huge difference to anybody.”

It’s started with Smith, who is playing more with the all-around impact that Jackson typically does, finding open players and adding some scoring at critical times. After notching 19 points, eight rebounds and eight assists against the Celtics, he added 11 points, five rebounds and 13 assists against the Hawks on Friday.

While Smith has elevated his game, he’s also controlling the pace and rhythm of the offense, with his ability to push the ball and find open teammates. But he’s also under control and taking better shots, getting a comfort level with where he fits in the offense.

For what it’s worth, it’s one of the biggest keys to the Pistons’ turnaround, but Smith also credits the improved defense as a catalyst.

“I think it always goes back to us defensively. We’re able to talk and communicate defensively,” Smith said. “Were able to talk, communicate and fly around like we have these last three games, we’re able to get out in transition and play the way we want to play.”

The Pistons also are getting back to their bread-and-butter identity, which is rebounding. They were second in the league last season, and struggled out of the gates this year, but look to be finding their groove, dominating the glass on the road trip.

But as Van Gundy has focused on improving the overall effort at home and on the road, they’re starting to regain their swagger in doing the small things that are keys to winning.

“The rebounding is huge and we should be able to rebound. It’s not something where we should be having a bad night, especially on the defensive glass,” Van Gundy said. “We’ve done a much better job; our guys have really paid attention to that, focused on that and taken pride in that these last three games.”

Rod.Beard@detroitnews.com

Twitter.com: @detnewsRodBeard