Vince Ellis

Detroit Free Press

Marcus Morris was dressing late Saturday night when he looked at a stat sheet, placed strategically on a nearby table.

The Pistons had just dusted the Bucks, but Morris’ eyes weren’t drawn to his efficient 20 points on 8-for-14 shooting.

He was looking at the numbers of his primary defensive assignment, Milwaukee forward Giannis Antetokounmpo.

The Greek Freak, one the NBA’s most promising young talents, was held to eight points and seven assists on 3-for-11 shooting.

With two reporters close by, Morris said he would appreciate some love for the NBA’s all-defensive teams.

Consider it done.

When Morris is putting together his résumé to highlight his defensive body of work, the past week might be included.

He started Monday by holding four-time MVP LeBron James to 5-for-18 shooting in the Pistons’ surprising 96-88 victory at Cleveland.

Morris doesn’t wow you with blocked shots and steals. He does a great job of staying in front of small forwards, the position with some of the most dynamic scorers in the league.

Antetokounmpo, a 6-foot-11 athletic marvel, is devastating in the open floor. But he was just a midrange jump shooter Saturday night.

And Raptors coach Dwane Casey noted Morris sets a tone on defense.

“Most of all, it’s his defensive toughness,” Casey said Sunday. “With the defensive disposition he brings, it’s not like you’re just going to catch the ball down there and go to work on him in the low post.”

■Johnson upgraded: Pistons forward Stanley Johnson (shoulder) was upgraded to questionable before facing the Raptors, but he missed his third straight game.

Contact Vince Ellis at vellis@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @vincent_ellis56. Download our Pistons Xtra app on iTunes or Android!