Clippers trying to maintain their newfound killer instinct

Good defense requires more than positioning, athleticism, instincts, anticipation and quick hands. It begins with a feisty attitude like the Clippers have adopted early this season as they’ve emerged as one of the NBA’s best defensive teams.

“We’ve been good, but I think we can actually be better than we have been,” power forward Blake Griffin said after the Clippers stifled the Detroit Pistons, 114-82, Monday night to improve to 6-1, their best start in franchise history.

“The thing I’ve noticed this year, compared to years past, is it really starts in practice. We get excited about defense … trying to get five, six stops in a row. The onus is on the players to have that mind-set,” Griffin said

The Clippers’ core — Griffin, guards Chris Paul and J.J. Redick, center DeAndre Jordan and forward Jamal Crawford — is in its fourth season together, and defensive whiz Luc Mbah a Moute was added last season.

The Clippers improved from 15th in defensive efficiency in 2014-15 to fourth last season and rank first this season, giving up an average of 90.3 points per 100 possessions through seven games, almost four points better than second-ranked Atlanta (94.0).

If the personnel hasn’t changed that much, what has?

“That’s a good question,” Paul said. “I’ve thought about that. ‘Why didn’t we do this last year?’ Part if it is attention to detail. We’ve tweaked a few things here and there, and trust … that always helps, knowing that when you help a guy, another guy is going to be there.

“When you start a season, you’re always wondering what the team’s identity is going to be, and once you get a few games under your belt, you start to see that. Our team is excited about defense, about stopping teams and trying to keep them under a certain number. That’s something that can be contagious all season.”

That attitude was apparent in the third quarter Monday night when Griffin looked disgusted after Pistons forward Tobias Harris made a driving hook shot over him at the 7½-minute mark to cut the Clippers’ lead to 32 points.

“C.P. and I talk about that a lot, about taking the next step as a team,” Griffin said. “Even if you’re up 20, 30, there shouldn’t be a letdown. Don’t get into bad habits just because you’re up by a lot.”

Paul, who had 24 points, eight assists, six rebounds and two steals Monday night, said the Clippers, who play the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday night at Staples Center, are trying to maintain a killer instinct they may have lacked in the past.

They barely let the Pistons up for air Monday, extending a 33-15 first-quarter lead to 62-32 by halftime and 91-53 through three quarters.

“We just kept defending and we kept running,” Paul said. “We kept making the extra pass, finding guys. We keep talking about not getting complacent, about getting up by 20 points and letting them cut it to eight. It may happen sometimes this year, but we keep trying to get better.”

Coach Doc Rivers said players have a better grasp of the defensive system that was installed last season and have improved their weak-side defense.

“We’re doing a much better job of anticipating what the next action is,” Rivers said. “I thought last year, when you look at the weak side, we were standing straight up. We almost acted like we didn’t know what was coming.”

The Clippers — both starters and reserves — swarmed the Pistons on Monday, limiting them to 36.6% shooting from the field (30 of 82), 33.3% from three-point range (four for 12), blocking seven shots and racking up eight steals.

“Chris Paul has been one of the best point-guard defenders in the league for a long time,” Detroit Coach Stan Van Gundy said. “DeAndre Jordan is an elite defender. Luc Mbah a Moute is an elite defender—that’s how he’s made his living in this league.

“J.J. Redick is a tough guy who’s a smart defender, and Blake Griffin, he’s another athletic, smart guy who knows how to play. There’s really nothing that tells you this team should be anything other than a great defensive team.”

mike.digiovanna@latimes.com

Follow Mike DiGiovanna on Twitter @mikedigiovanna