DETROIT — The Detroit Pistons are still meshing early on in the season, learning how to play their best basketball together every time they get out on the court.

But if there’s an area the team wants to improve on the most it’s cutting down on unnecessary fouling, or what coach J.B. Bickerstaff has been referring to as “silly” fouls.

“For us the focus has to be just on the silly ones,” Bickerstaff said Wednesday. “I want our guys to be physical. I want teams to have to play through contact. But we find ourselves in some of those reach downs and slapping and silly ones that we can’t control. I don’t mind us fouling. If we’re being physical and we’re setting the tone — good.”

Fouling is up across the NBA early on this season, averaging 22.8 personal fouls per game after last season’s mark

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