AUBURN HILLS - Detroit Pistons coach Stan Van Gundy has long had a goal for Andre Drummond - lead the NBA in rebounding and blocked shots.

Only five players have done it. Drummond, already a dominant rebounder, is becoming a better shot-blocker. He is averaging 2.4 blocks in the past 28 games, after averaging only 1.2 blocks his first 43 games.

"That's definitely a goal that I have," Drummond said.

Drummond leads the league in rebounding (15.9). He is tied for sixth in blocked shots (1.7). So, he won't have a chance to complete this rare double-double until next season.

The Pistons (33-40) face the Los Angeles Lakers (32-40) Monday at Little Caesars Arena (7 p.m., Fox Sports Detroit).

Drummond's spike in blocks roughly coincides with Blake Griffin's arrival, which changed Drummond's mindset a bit.

"Just going for it more," Drummond said. "Figuring out position on the floor where guys like to take the ball and just going straight up with my hands in the air and more times than not I get a hand on it.

"I think (he and teammates) have figured each other out defensively to know that when I do go for blocked shots that someone will be back there to block my guy. It's something that I've gotten comfortable with, knowing that somebody is there to help out."

Dwight Howard was the last player to lead the NBA in rebounding and blocked shots (2008-09 and 2009-10). Others who have accomplished the feat since blocks became an official stat in 1973-74 are Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (1975-76), Bill Walton (1976-77), Hakeem Olajuwon (1989-90) and former Piston Ben Wallace (2001-02).

"It's one of the most difficult things to do, because if you're going to block shots you're taking yourself out of rebounding position on a lot of balls," Van Gundy said. "Andre's got the quickness and the timing to be able to do it. He's still a very young guy (24), I think that would be a great goal for him."

Shot-blocking has gradually decreased over many seasons because of the way the game has evolved - with the floor spread out and more 3-point shooting, and less post play and driving to the basket.

"A lot of times guys are driving it and throwing it out," Van Gundy said. "Bigs are away from the basket a lot, so it's hard to get the pure numbers guys had 15 years ago.

"Guys like (Drummond) have to defend out on the floor more, so they don't get as many opportunities. The overall numbers (of blocked shots) are never going to be what they were even five years ago, certainly 10-15 years ago, but relative to the rest of the league I'd like to see his numbers come up and they have lately."

Van Gundy said Drummond still is "up and down" defensively but has been more engaged this season.

"When he's at his best, he's one of the best pick-and-roll defenders among centers in the league," Van Gundy said. "Like anybody, there's nights where he doesn't put as much into it. But when he's really on it, there's not many big guys that move their feet the way he does and get out and defend pick and rolls. That part has been really good throughout most of the year and now that he's starting to protect the rim, and you know you're going to get great rebounding, he can have huge impact on games."

Drummond is at his best when he's down and moving his feet.

"He'll get beat a lot of times when he just sort of reaches, but reaches off-balance," Van Gundy said. "Then he's going to get beat at the dribble. That's probably his biggest mistake at times. That's something he's got to be more disciplined at. When he stays on balance and is down in his stance he'll get beat some off the dribble, but not a whole lot."

Griffin was impressed by Drummond's all-around game Saturday against the Bulls (15 points, 20 rebounds, four assists, four steals, four blocks)

"A lot of times young guys come in, they think points, rebounds; especially bigs," Griffin said. "I think he's realized that his worth to our team goes far beyond points and rebounds, even on the stat sheet. Just his presence alone, being down there, coming from the weak side to help, all those things are huge. He's able to control a game from so many different standpoints."

Johnson sits out: Pistons forward Stanley Johnson did not practice Sunday, after sitting out the second half the night before due to a right gluteal strain. He has missed 13 games this season due to injuries.

"He's had a lot, with his hip, his back, all in there," Van Gundy said. "I think the overriding problem is he's got a lot of tightness in those areas and it leads to a lot of injury stuff. He's had a lot of those problems this year on and off. It seems like every 7-8-9 games something creeps up with him. It's been hard over the last few months for him to get into a good rhythm. Hopefully this will be a short-term thing."