The Detroit Pistons (1-1) remain undefeated no more, as the Pistons fall to the Atlanta Hawks (1-0) 117-100 on the tail end of a back to back.
Hawks guard Trae Young started the game off on fire, scoring 26 points in the first half, along with three rebounds, six assist, and five three-pointers. Young finished tonight’s game with 38 points, seven rebounds, nine assists, and six three-pointers. Pistons guard Bruce Brown could not stop ‘Ice Trae’, as he was able to shoot at will wherever he wanted to from the floor. Hawks power forward John Collins finished tonight’s game with 18 points and 10 rebounds. Hawks new off-season acquisition Jabari Parker made his debut for the team tonight and finished with 18 points off the bench.
Hawks guard Vince Carter made history tonight, playing in his 22nd NBA season, the most seasons played by a single player in NBA history.
For Detroit, Andre Drummond came out with 21 points, 12 rebounds, and four steals. Drummond had a solid start to this game but cooled off drastically in the second half with only four field-goal attempts after going six for nine from the floor in the first half. Derrick Rose came out hot again, with 27 points and three assists. Luke Kennard was also able to contribute in tonight’s game, with 13 points, four rebounds, three assists, and three three-pointers.
It’s fair to wonder if head coach Dwane Casey should start Luke Kennard going forward until Blake Griffin comes back from his hamstring injury, as the Pistons first unit just can’t produce any offense outside of Andre Drummond and are falling behind in games where the first unit stays on the floor. Keeping Rose with the second unit allows for the Pistons to manage his minutes and keep him fresh for the playoffs.
Pistons starting point guard Reggie Jackson left early in the second half with a lower back injury and finished tonight’s game with five points, four rebounds, and three assists. Reggie hasn’t looked right so far this season, and one has to wonder if it’s his injured back that is holding him back so far. Reggie’s injury could force Casey’s hand in starting Derrick Rose if Reggie is forced to miss time, although the Pistons could also choose to start third-string point guard Tim Frazier.
The Pistons will get a much needed day off tomorrow before they play another game this Saturday at home against Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers.
