It’s a battle of Eastern Conference teams on the hardwood as a pair of teams tangle in the Motor City. The Atlanta Hawks are on the road as they travel to face the Detroit Pistons Friday night to conclude a two-game series. These teams met here in the Motor City on Wednesday night with the Hawks prevailing 118-113 though the Pistons managed to cover the line as they were a 7.5-point underdog in the contest. In the all-time regular season series between the teams, the Pistons own a 225-214 advantage though the Hawks have drawn first blood this season. Can Atlanta sweep the two-game set or will the Pistons even things up?
Atlanta had their work cut out for them but managed to put the Pistons away in the fourth quarter to earn the road victory, though they did fail to cover the line. The Hawks entered Thursday 3-1 on the season, leaving them tied with the Wizards for the top spot in the Southeast Division standings. On Wednesday, Atlanta led by as many as 12 in the first quarter only to see the lead sliced to four after one stanza. That lead was down to one at the half and the teams were even after three quarters. Atlanta trailed 100-99 with 6:30 to play in the game but went on a 9-0 run to take the lead for good. The Hawks shot 49.5% from the floor, including eight of 22 from three-point range and won the rebounding battle 46-40. Trae Young led Atlanta with 35 points and six assists in the victory.
The Hawks enter this contest 17th in scoring offense by averaging 113 points per game. Atlanta is 18th in rebounding by collecting 43.8 boards a night while the team stands 12th by dishing out 25.3 assists per contest. Atlanta is 12th in the league in scoring defense as they allow opponents to score 111 points per game this season. Trae Young leads the team with 27.8 points and 10.3 assists per game this season. John Collins puts up 19 points plus 10.5 rebounds a night. De’Andre Hunter chips in 15.3 points a game while Dejounte Murray (18.3 points, 7.5 rebounds, 8.3 assists, three steals) has fit right into the Hawks’ rotation after being acquired in the offseason from San Antonio. Clint Capela, Onyeka Okongwu, Aaron Holiday, Justin Holiday and Jalen Johnson are key rotation pieces for coach Nate McMillan. Atlanta is 18th in the league in field goal percentage by hitting 46.3% of their shots from the floor this season. The Hawks are 29th in threes per game as they hit nine per contest and stand 26th in three-po int percentage as they hit 31.9% of their attempts from beyond the arc.
Bogdan Bogdanovic (knee) has yet to take the floor this season as he rehabs from offseason surgery. He is being evaluated on a game-by-game basis so keep an eye out for any potential updates about his status leading into game time.
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