Pistons are fouling their way to the top of the NBA

Committing a lot of fouls is generally considered a bad thing in the NBA. The Detroit Pistons, just like last year's NBA champions, are showing that being one of the league leaders in fouls doesn't keep you from being one of the league leaders overall.

The Pistons rank first in the league with 22.9 fouls per game, while winning 75 percent of their games so far with a 27-9 record that ranks first in the Eastern Conference. They're also drawing 22.8 fouls per game, turning their games into a free-throw festival, but letting their physical strength lead them to a lot of victories.

Detroit's physical play exploits its size advantages

The Pistons may be fouling a lot, but they're also grabbing the third-most rebounds in the league. Jalen Duren is averaging 10.6 rebounds, good for sixth in the league, and committing 3.2 fouls per game. Isaiah Stewart is fouling 3.1 times per game, but blocking 2.1 shots and getting 5.7 rebounds in 23.5 minutes. Cade Cunningham is ninth in the NBA with 3.4 fouls per game and getting 6.2 rebounds, excellent for a point guard.

Is the fouling hurting? To a degree. Detroit gives up the most free-throw attempts in the NBA with 28.6 per game, and opponents have made them pay by making 81.2 percent of those free throws, the highest opponent free-throw percentage in the league. That's 23.3 free points per game.

But the Pistons are giving up only 88.8 points on field goals, the second-fewest in the league. They rank second in defensive rating and give up the fourth-fewest points per game. The Pistons are also blocking 6.4 shots per game, best in the NBA, with Stewart, Duren and Cunningham (0.8 blocks per game) leading the way.