The Detroit Pistons (5-10) snapped a five-game losing streak by defeating the Atlanta Hawks (4-11) 128-103. The Pistons were on cruise control throughout the game tonight and was able to secure a much-needed win at home against a slumping Hawks team that is currently on a five-game losing streak of their own.
The Pistons looked stagnant to start the game, allowing the Hawks to take a 17-7 lead in the first quarter, but the Pistons got hot after a pair of Blake Griffin free-throws and were able to go on a 20-0 run, lead by the Pistons bench who scored 13 points in the first quarter. Doomed by turnovers, the Hawks could only watch as the Pistons took a 10 point lead at the end of the first quarter.
In the second quarter, Hawks forward De’Andre Hunter hit a three-pointer to cut the lead to seven. On the next possession, Pistons guard Derrick Rose made a three-point shot of his own, which brought the lead back to 10. The Pistons scored 43 points in the second quarter and held Hawks future-star Trae Young to four first-half points. A Thon Maker three-pointer gave the Pistons a 19 point lead to end the half. De’Andre Hunter scored 16 points in the first half (all in the second quarter) but it wasn’t enough as the Pistons ended the first half up 76-57.
The Pistons did not take their foot off the gas in the third quarter, with Pistons All-Star center Andre Drummond leading the charge. Hot-shooting gave the Pistons a 107-84 lead to end the third quarter. Pistons center Christian Wood opened the fourth quarter with a three-point make. A second make was taken back due to a 24-second shot clock violation. The Hawks could only watch as the Pistons continued their hot shooting.
The Pistons were led by Andre Drummond, who finished tonight’s victory with 23 points to go along with 15 rebounds, including eight offensive rebounds. Blake Griffin also played a big part in tonight’s win, scoring 24 points including a pair of three-point shots.
Pistons second-year guard Bruce Brown Jr. has to be tonight’s player of the game. He came in on a mission to slow Trae Young down tonight, and he did that on the defensive end of the court, while also being a key contributor on the offensive end of the court as well. Brown finished tonight’s game with 14 points, seven assists, three steals and a block (on Trae Young).
Trae Young finished tonight’s game with just nine points on 3-of-12 shooting from the floor. De’Andre Hunter, who scored 16 points in the second quarter, finished tonight with 18 points.
The Pistons will look to build off tonight’s win tomorrow night against the Milwaukee Bucks at 8:30 PM. The Bucks swept the Pistons in last season’s playoffs, and the Pistons will go into tomorrow’s game seeking revenge against their central division rival.
