Vince Ellis

Detroit Free Press

It was assumed Marcus Morris was kidding about the time he was a teammate of Tobias Harris during their AAU days.

When the Pistons acquired Harris just before the February trade deadline, Morris recalled the coach — Harris’ father — running all the offense through his son.

Morris elaborated Monday night.

“That wasn’t a joke,” Morris said. “All of us were around the same size. We didn’t have a point guard that game, so he put Tobias at the point.”

It hasn’t exactly been like AAU for Harris in the 17 games he has played with the Pistons since being acquired from the Orlando Magic for Ersan Ilyasova and Brandon Jennings.

The Pistons are built around the pick-and-roll of point guard Reggie Jackson and center Andre Drummond, but Harris’ usage is slightly up for the Pistons vs. his time with the Magic this season.

And he has delivered with better offensive numbers, helping the Pistons to a 10-5 record since he joined the starting lineup Feb. 22 at Cleveland.

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Harris has impressed with a multifaceted offensive game that has blended well with the Pistons (37-34), who will continue their postseason quest Wednesday when the Magic visits the Palace.

Harris said after Monday night’s thrilling 92-91 victory over the Bucks that it’s not a matter of usage.

“You get a rhythm, but the biggest thing is just building trust,” Harris said. “Guys on our team, they know if I come off a pick-and-roll that more than likely I’m going to make the right play the majority of the time.”

Unique matchup

Harris’ scoring average has increased from 13.7 to 16.6 points per game. His shooting percentages and assists are up, and he’s more efficient.

The Pistons are 12th in the NBA in points per 100 possessions since Harris was promoted to the starting lineup, averaging 106.8.

Harris, 23, is capable of playing both forward spots, but the Pistons are using him primarily as a power forward. That makes for a tough cover because of his ball-handling and passing skills.

“He brings another way of getting the ball going to the basket,” Hornets coach Steve Clifford said this month. “His penetration game, and they’re running those (power forward-center) pick-and-rolls.

“(Power forwards) aren’t used to guarding high pick-and-rolls. He can both score and pass, because offensively he’s more of a (small forward) than he is a (power forward).

“They’re huge. You put him up there with Drummond and then Morris. Obviously it was a terrific trade for them, and it’s already paid off.”

Work to do

When the media entered the practice floor Tuesday, coach Stan Van Gundy was seated at a table with Harris on the opposite side. There was a laptop on the table, and Van Gundy admitted the topic of the session was “his defense.”

Van Gundy believes that at 6 feet 9, 230 pounds, Harris has the size and athleticism to be a good defender. But he stands too upright.

“My message is, he really needs to get better at the defensive end of the floor and focus on that, concentrate on that and try to make improvements,” Van Gundy said. “Longterm, for him to take another step as a player — and we’ve all got things we can work on offensively — but his next jump will be to be a better defender.”

Harris is aware of the shortcomings, but he is enjoying the first playoff chase of his career. The Magic (29-41) is headed to the lottery.

Harris isn’t one to gloat.

“To me, it’s another game,” Harris said. “Obviously there’s familiar faces,” Harris said. “But for me, the only thing I’m focused on is our team and making this run to the playoffs.”

Contact Vince Ellis at vellis@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @vincent_ellis56.

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How Andre Drummond used fundamentals to win it for Detroit Pistons

Wednesday: Magic

Matchup: Pistons (37-34) vs. Orlando (29-41).

Tip-off: 7:30, Palace.

TV/radio: Fox Sports Detroit, WMGC-FM (105.1).