Maybe it was the uniforms.

The Detroit Pistons have experienced a transformation after jettisoning those garish teal, maroon and white uniforms brandishing a flaming horse's head and mufflers. Since going old-school and returning to the original red, white and blue uniforms this season, the Pistons have played like those defensive-minded "Bad Boy" championship teams of 1989 and 1990, starting the season on a winning note.

The Pistons are 4-1, and with three days off since their last game, should be well-rested and ready for the Trail Blazers today. The strong start is due primarily to a defensive-minded approach by first-year coach Rick Carlisle.

"I just want our team to play hard and play the right way, and they're doing that. These guys have bought into the idea of defense being what's going to carry us to some wins," Carlisle told the Detroit Free Press. "It's a team thing and guys are helping each other and staying within the system. When we defend, we get stops and we're able to score points."

After a season in which they laughed at the mere mention of defense and gave up 97.3 points a game (26th in the NBA), the Pistons this season lead the league in fewest points allowed (82.6 a game). They are first in field goal percentage defense (39.2) and fourth in blocked shots (7.4).

"Defense has hampered us the last couple of years, and our defense, right now, has been outstanding," guard Jerry Stackhouse said. "We're really prepared for every game. (The coaches) study those teams and have everything laid out on paper for us to read and go over before the game."

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