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NBA Power Rankings: Will the Lakers ever win again?

By Ian Levy

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 22: Patty Mills #8 of the San Antonio Spurs scores on his jumper in front of LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers to take a 143-142 lead during overtime at Staples Center on October 22, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 22: Patty Mills #8 of the San Antonio Spurs scores on his jumper in front of LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers to take a 143-142 lead during overtime at Staples Center on October 22, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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CHICAGO, IL – OCTOBER 20: Blake Griffin #23 of the Detroit Pistons is introduced during a game against the Chicago Bulls on October 20, 2018 at United Center in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL – OCTOBER 20: Blake Griffin #23 of the Detroit Pistons is introduced during a game against the Chicago Bulls on October 20, 2018 at United Center in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images) /

team. 64. . . Previous: 19th. Detroit Pistons. 13

The Pistons played just two games in the first week and came away with tight wins over Chicago and Brooklyn. Those opponents and small margins of victory haven’t exactly separated themselves from the rest of the Eastern Conference, but there are some very positive indicators for Detroit.

Blake Griffin has been sensational on offense, averaging 29.5 points, 10.0 rebounds and 5.5 assists per game, shooting 50 percent from the field and 75 percent on 3s (that last number will come down). Even without their outside shooting threats showing up — Langston Galloway, Reggie Bullock and Stanley Johnson are all under 30.0 percent on 3s so far, they’ve been able to maintain a reasonable level of offensive efficiency. The Pistons have been outscored with Drummond and Griffin on the floor together so far, but they’ve done well staggering their minutes and should have a second-unit advantage against many teams.

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