Reggie Jackson, Greg Monroe

Detroit Pistons' Reggie Jackson (1) goes to the basket against Milwaukee Bucks' Greg Monroe during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, March 21, 2016, in Auburn Hills, Mich.

(Duane Burleson | AP)

AUBURN HILLS -- Ten games remain on the Detroit Pistons' regular-season schedule, and they remain in the same cluster of mid-level NBA teams they started in.

A sample below of national media outlets and their recent sampling of NBA power rankings had the Pistons (38-34) anywhere from 13 to 18 entering the week, after a 2-1 start to their nine-game homestand.

Some are more optimistic than others, as you would expect, but the consensus is unanimous: if they want to make the playoffs, a better defensive effort is required.

That's in lockstep with what coach Stan Van Gundy has been preaching.

The Pistons are off to a good start this week, beating teams they should be beating (Milwaukee, Orlando), but two important, more difficult, games lay ahead in the form of a back-to-back Friday and Saturday vs. Charlotte and Atlanta.

How they fare in those two games could be a sign of things to come in the final eight, a span that includes seven teams already in playoff contention. You can bet the national media will be paying attention.

In the meantime, here's a rundown of how Detroit stood entering the week:

ESPN: 13th, even from last week. What they're saying: "Three times in Detroit's past six games, Andre Drummond has fallen short of a double-double, after missing that benchmark just 10 times in his first 64 games this season. Duty compels us, furthermore, to point out that Drummond -- though he joins New Orleans' Anthony Davis on the short list of players this season to lead his team in rebounds, steals and blocked shots -- has missed 339 free throws in 2015-16 ... which is a higher total than nine NBA teams this season (New Orleans, Boston, Brooklyn, Orlando, Dallas, Atlanta, Chicago, New York and San Antonio)."

Washington Post: 13th, up from 14. What they're saying: "The Pistons keep going up and down, but also keep hanging around the playoff picture."

SI: 15th, down from 14. What they're saying: "The Pistons remain neck and neck with the Bulls and begin a critical six-game homestand as part of a highly challenging final stretch. It'll be a seventh straight year with no playoffs if they don't patch up the leaky defense (28th worst in their past six games).

NBC Sports: 15th, down from 13. What they're saying: "They are 2-1 to start their nine-game homestand, and if the Pistons are going to make the playoffs this stretch is the time to do it. This week they have winnable but not easy games such as the Bucks, Hornets, and Hawks. It's going to come down to the up-and-down Pistons defense."

NBA.com: 16th, down from 13. What they're saying: "The Pistons began their nine-game homestand by allowing the Hawks to score 30 or more points in three of four quarters, including a pivotal fourth period which, essentially, has them still sitting on the outside of the East playoff picture. They hit 22 threes in weekend wins over Sacramento and Brooklyn, but the homestand gets tougher as it goes on and, against two top-10 defenses this week, they'll need to get stops themselves."

CBS Sports: 18th, down from 15. What they're saying: "The Pistons went 2-2 this week, but the wins over Brooklyn and Sacramento weren't particularly encouraging. While they could still make the playoffs, the defense needs to be much, much better."

Yahoo!: Not ranked in the Ball Don't Lie blog's rankings of 'Most Interesting' teams around the NBA. And that's probably a good thing come playoff time.

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